Bihar's 'love guru' missing from poll battle

At a time when electioneering in Patna has picked up, people are missing ‘love guru’ Matuknath Choudhary, who said he won’t be contesting this time.

Choudhary, Patna University professor of Hindi, who hit the headlines in 2006 for his affair with a student half his age, contested the Lok Sabha polls from Patna Sahib seat in Patna as an independent candidate with a ‘heart’ as his symbol.

Choudhary said he had contested to promote love.

“I also promised to build a sprawling green park here for lovers including young and old if elected, but I was defeated and failed to fulfil it,” Choudhary said.

Chandan Singh, a shopkeeper near Sabzi Bagh, said that Choudhary had added colour to the polls last time. It was interesting to watch him and listen to him.

“Choudhary tried to attract people to debate on love and couples in live in relationships,” Satyendera Kumar, a resident of Khazanchi road said.

Both Singh and Kumar admitted that Choudhary’s absence has disappointed them.

In 2006, a married Choudhary had publicly declared his love for his former student Julie Kumari and began living in with her. He was arrested along with his girlfriend after his wife complained to the police, alleging that the professor would lure young students by promising them higher marks. Choudhary's face was blackened by some angry people, including relatives. The professor and the woman were later released on bail.

He was suspended following the controversy but later reinstated.

Over two-and-a-half months ago a local court had directed Choudhary give Rs 15,000 per month to his first wife as maintenance till the disposal of the case.

Image: Matuknath Choudhary