Nagpur: Rather than lobbying with political parties to raise issues in the state legislature, a school trustees’ association is firming up plans to enter the political arena themselves. Maharashtra English School Trustees Association (MESTA) says it stands a good chance of securing seats in the legislative council though the teachers and graduate constituencies.
In Maharashtra, the legislative council has seven seats each for teachers and graduates constituency. MESTA may be looking at fielding candidates in all 14 seats. The belief is that if elected, these leaders can give them strong representation among lawmakers.
Between February 2023 and July 2024, the tenure of five MLC (teachers constituency) and four from graduates constituency will end.
Sanjay Tayde-Patil, founder president of MESTA, said, “We have around 18,000 schools. All teachers here are eligible to vote for teachers constituency. These voters will obviously prefer to vote for those who are willing to fight for their professional issues. With such a high number of voters, we can definitely be in a strong position.”
Officially, MESTA has not revealed too many details on how they plan to execute their strategy of entering the political arena. However, sources within the organization say there is no need to form a political party.
A senior office bearer said, “We can contest as independents too. And that’s actually the main reason for planning to field candidates for MLC polls.” The school trustee alleged that political parties have to work in the interest of the party, not voters.
“It’s a natural thing that political parties will try to appeal to every section of the society. Teachers are just one part of that section and if there is a clash between different voter groups, political parties will have to align with the numerically stronger one,” he added.
“But our focus is only the teachers, students and parents. That’s why we need to get our voices inside the legislature,” said the trustee.
In Maharashtra, the legislative council has seven seats each for teachers and graduates constituency. MESTA may be looking at fielding candidates in all 14 seats. The belief is that if elected, these leaders can give them strong representation among lawmakers.
Between February 2023 and July 2024, the tenure of five MLC (teachers constituency) and four from graduates constituency will end.
Sanjay Tayde-Patil, founder president of MESTA, said, “We have around 18,000 schools. All teachers here are eligible to vote for teachers constituency. These voters will obviously prefer to vote for those who are willing to fight for their professional issues. With such a high number of voters, we can definitely be in a strong position.”
Officially, MESTA has not revealed too many details on how they plan to execute their strategy of entering the political arena. However, sources within the organization say there is no need to form a political party.
A senior office bearer said, “We can contest as independents too. And that’s actually the main reason for planning to field candidates for MLC polls.” The school trustee alleged that political parties have to work in the interest of the party, not voters.
“It’s a natural thing that political parties will try to appeal to every section of the society. Teachers are just one part of that section and if there is a clash between different voter groups, political parties will have to align with the numerically stronger one,” he added.
“But our focus is only the teachers, students and parents. That’s why we need to get our voices inside the legislature,” said the trustee.