LONDON: Dr Neeraj Patil, 56, from Kalaburagi was appointed to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour party, the governing party of the UK. The NEC, similar to Congress Working Committee (CWC) and BJP’s Parliamentary Board, is the administrative authority that shapes the party’s strategy and policies. Patil, who studied medicine at MR Medical College in Kalaburagi and earned three postgraduate degrees in emergency medicine in the UK, moved to the UK in 1994 to work in National Health Service (NHS).He is from a political family, with his grandfather, Shanker Shetty Patil, and uncle, Subash Patil, both serving as Congress MLAs from Kalaburagi Rural.
During his time in the UK, Patil served as councillor and mayor on Lambeth Council and played a crucial role in the installation of the Basaveshwara statue in London — the only one of the 12th century social reformer outside India. He unsuccessfully ran for Parliament as a Labour MP in 2017. Patil, who has been a Labour party member for 20 years, told TOI he aims to use his position to improve NHS, which faces long waiting lists. NEC consists of 39 members, including party leader Keir Starmer and deputy PM Angela Rayner.
During his time in the UK, Patil served as councillor and mayor on Lambeth Council and played a crucial role in the installation of the Basaveshwara statue in London — the only one of the 12th century social reformer outside India. He unsuccessfully ran for Parliament as a Labour MP in 2017. Patil, who has been a Labour party member for 20 years, told TOI he aims to use his position to improve NHS, which faces long waiting lists. NEC consists of 39 members, including party leader Keir Starmer and deputy PM Angela Rayner.