Congress holds Nagpur workers' meet for graduates' constituency candidate Abhijit Wanjari

Ahead of the Nagpur division graduates' constituency election, the Congress has put its full strength into eastern Vidarbha. The party is working to ensure the victory of Abhijit Wanjari, the official candidate of the Congress and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

A large workers' convention has been scheduled for 11 am on Thursday, October 15, at the Mahakalkar Sabhagruh in Dattatraya Nagar. Its aim has been described as showing the unity and strength of the organisation.

Maharashtra Congress in-charge Sirivella Prasad and state president Harshwardhan Sapkal will be present and will guide the workers.

Senior leaders, MPs, MLAs, former elected representatives and office-bearers of various organisations from the districts of Nagpur, Wardha, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Bhandara and Gondia will share one stage.

Rejecting the Opposition's allegations of factionalism in the party, the Congress has stepped up its campaign by coordinating its organisation across the six districts.

The campaign is focusing on employment, education, competitive examinations, opportunities for youth, and issues concerning teachers and graduates. Wanjari's work over the past six years and his 'vision' for the future are being taken to voters.

On the examination system, the promise is that stringent steps will be taken to stop paper leaks in competitive examinations and make the recruitment process transparent. Efforts will be made to have government recruitment conducted through the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) and to set up an independent examination commission. Results and appointments will also be ensured on time.

Under education, social justice and employee welfare, the promises include implementing the old pension scheme, extending grants to unaided schools in phases, providing cashless medical facilities and relieving teachers of non-teaching duties.

Efforts will be made to scrap the TET examination and introduce a time-bound promotion scheme for teachers. Two well-equipped government hostels will be built in each of the state's 36 districts for backward classes, OBCs and minorities. The promises also include effective implementation of government schemes such as Mahajyoti, 'Sarthi', 'Barti', 'Tarti' and Marti, and demands for an OBC caste census and a higher creamy layer limit.