Pune graduates' MLC Harshada Deshmukh says she will raise graduates' issues in Legislative Council

Harshada Deshmukh, newly elected from the Pune graduates' constituency, has said she will put the issues of graduates at the forefront in the Legislative Council. She said the trust shown by graduate voters is not merely a receipt for victory but a big responsibility.

Deshmukh visited Satara district for the first time after winning the election and was welcomed enthusiastically at various places. On behalf of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), she was felicitated at Rashtrawadi Bhavan by district president Balasaheb Patil. She was speaking at a press conference held afterwards.

Deshmukh said she would give priority in the Legislative Council to graduates' questions, the problems of unemployed youth, issues related to education and pending demands. She said in particular that she would lobby the government firmly so that students from rural areas preparing for competitive examinations do not have to stay away from studies for lack of money.

Crediting the Maha Vikas Aghadi's unity for her win, Deshmukh said all the alliance's leaders and workers worked in coordination during the election. She said state president Shashikant Shinde drew up an effective campaign plan and drove the whole machinery hard. According to Deshmukh, the collective efforts of all made the path to victory easier.

Students from rural areas have to stay in cities such as Pune and Mumbai to prepare for competitive examinations. But amid drought conditions and rising costs, many students are finding it increasingly difficult to bear this expense. Asked about this, Deshmukh said she would make a special effort so that students' studies are not left incomplete.

She made clear that she would lobby the government so that students studying for the MPSC get financial help. She also said she would keep working to fix the technical problems and slow functioning of the NIES portal.

At the event, district president Balasaheb Patil said the success in the election was the result of the unity of office-bearers and workers. Former IAS officer Prabhakar Deshmukh, Mansingrao Jagdale, Devraj Patil and Sameer Ghatge were present at the felicitation ceremony, along with several party office-bearers, representatives of the women's wing and a large number of workers.