17 October,2026 02:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Uddhav Thackeray. File Pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday appealed to teachers to vote for party candidate Dattatray Lahane in the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council elections for the Amravati Teachers' constituency, where the party faces a direct contest with its Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ally, Congress.
In a statement, Thackeray highlighted Lahane's commitment to teachers' demands, saying the candidate had pledged before a tehsildar that he would refuse to draw his salary as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) until the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) was implemented for teachers.
Polling for five Legislative Council seats in Maharashtra is scheduled for October 23, while counting will take place on October 27.
Thackeray praised Lahane's commitment to social work and his promise to forgo his legislative salary until teachers receive the benefit of the Old Pension Scheme.
"Personally, I have yet to come across another candidate who is so committed to keeping his word and serving others with such dedication. His social work is also noteworthy," Thackeray said.
He appealed to teachers to support Lahane, arguing that the election was also about protecting social values and addressing concerns over the influence of powerful educational institutions and their owners.
"If you believe that the values of our society must not be sacrificed in this battle and marketplace dominated by powerful educational institutions and their owners, then I urge you to cast your first-preference vote for the honest and committed candidate, Dattatray Lahane, and ensure his victory with an overwhelming majority," he added.
The Amravati Teachers' constituency election has set two MVA partners against each other. The Congress has fielded Aditi Pohare, who is making her electoral debut, while the Sena (UBT) is seeking support for Lahane.
The contest highlights differences between the alliance partners over candidate selection for the council seat, even as they remain constituents of the broader opposition grouping in Maharashtra.
The Amravati Teachers' constituency covers Amravati, Buldhana, Washim and Yavatmal districts. Eligible teachers from these districts will vote in the election.
Shiv Sena, led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has fielded sitting MLC Kiran Sarnaik for the seat, adding another candidate to the contest.
(With inputs from PTI)
