BJP takes on sitting Congress MLC in Pune division teachers' polls

A keen contest is on the cards for the Maharashtra Legislative Council seat from the Pune division Teachers' Constituency, with the ruling BJP fielding Kaustubh Gawade against sitting Congress MLC Jayant Asgaonkar. Former legislator Dattatray Sawant and Independent candidate Sachin Sanap are also in the fray.

Polling is scheduled for October 23, while counting will take place on October 27. A total of 51,979 registered voters from Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur and Solapur districts will decide who represents them in the Legislative Council.

Gawade is banking on his experience in the education sector, his outreach among teachers and the BJP's organisational strength. Asgaonkar, meanwhile, is relying on his legislative experience and the network of educational institutions associated with Congress and NCP leaders in the five districts.

Sawant, who is contesting as an Independent, is drawing on his involvement in the teachers' movement and his previous stint as a legislator. Sanap has also raised teachers' demands and secured the support of the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, adding another dimension to the contest.

The candidates have focused their campaigns on issues affecting teachers, including the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), the old pension scheme, vacant posts, group recognition, the burden of non-academic duties and a shortage of non-teaching staff.

Gawade, chief executive officer of Shri Swami Vivekanand Shikshan Sanstha, has highlighted his experience in academic administration and his focus on improving teaching standards and the quality of education. The BJP has deployed senior state ministers and local representatives to campaign for him.

"The party has roped in senior state BJP ministers and local representatives to intensely campaign for the party candidate, who is facing a tussle from the Congress candidate as well as the Shiv Sena-supported Independent candidate. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently pulled up senior party leaders in the constituency and made them work on the ground," said a senior BJP leader.

Asgaonkar is banking on his performance during his previous term and the support of the Congress, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and Shiv Sena (UBT). His record in raising teachers' concerns and pursuing their resolution is likely to be a key factor in the election.

"Asgaonkar has raised the issue of various administrative and field duties entrusted to teachers by the government. He will continue to work in the teachers' interest," said a Congress leader.

Sawant is known for his agitations over teachers' demands and his previous stint as a legislator. Sanap, too, has campaigned on teachers' issues, with the support of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena adding to the contest.