Shiv Sena's Shrikant Deshpande files papers for Amravati teachers' seat, to contest even without party ticket

Campaigning has begun in the state for the Legislative Council graduates' and teachers' constituency elections. Polls are being held in five constituencies: Pune Graduates, Pune Teachers, Nagpur Graduates, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Graduates and Amravati Teachers. Constituents of both the Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi are trading claims and counterclaims over candidatures for these seats.

Against this backdrop, Shiv Sena leader and former MLA Shrikant Deshpande has made his stand clear by filing his nomination from the Amravati Teachers' constituency. He entered the fray before the Mahayuti's official candidate had even been announced, which has quickened the pace of politics in the constituency.

Deshpande said he has worked in the Shiv Sena since the start of his political career. He claimed that he has the first right to the party ticket. He has also said that if the party does not give him the candidature, he will still not back out of the contest and will stand under the banner of the Shikshak Aghadi.

Five districts fall under the Amravati division Teachers' constituency: Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, Washim and Yavatmal. Voting for the constituency is reported to be on October 23. According to the official election notice, the last date for filing nominations is October 6, 2026.

Meanwhile, there is a tussle within the Mahayuti over the Pune Graduates and Teachers constituency seats as well. The 2026 election process for both constituencies has officially begun, and the Pune divisional commissioner's office has made separate information available for it.

Nominations, claims within parties and the possibility of rebellion are making the teachers' and graduates' constituency elections politically important. After Deshpande's stand in Amravati, attention now turns to whom the Mahayuti gives its official candidature and what step Deshpande takes after that.