Pune: The district will now have 25 legislators, along with seven MPs. The BJP has nominated Amit Gorkhe and Yogesh Tilekar from the district as its candidates for the State Legislative Council. Thus, the number of legislators from Pune district will go up to 25.
A Union Minister of State, a Deputy Chief Minister and the Deputy Chairperson of the State Legislative Council are from the district. The BJP has announced the names of Yogesh Tilekar, the former MLA from Hadapsar, and Amit Gorkhe from Pimpri-Chinchwad as the party candidates for the council elections to be held on July 12. The party has enough strength to elect five MLCs, including that of an alliance partner.
Tilekar is President of the party’s OBC State Cell while Gorkhe is an office-bearer of the party’s State Dalit Aghadi. Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe and Uma Khapre from Pimpri-Chinchwad are also the MLCs.
There are 21 MLAs in the district. Now, the number of MLCs will increase to four. Thus, the total number of legislators from Pune district will be 25. Moreover, the district has four Lok Sabha seats, namely – Pune City, Baramati, Shirur and Maval. Dr Medha Kulkarni and Sunetra Pawar have been elected to Rajya Sabha. Senior leader Sharad Pawar is also a Rajya Sabha member. Thus, the number of MPs in the district has gone up to seven for the first time.
Former Mayor Murlidhar Mohol, who was elected to Lok Sabha for the first time, was given a ministerial berth in the Union Cabinet. The Civil Aviation and Cooperation are the important ministries with him. He will be looking into many issues related to these ministries. Dr Neelam Gorhe is the Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson, which is an important constitutional post. She can issue directives to a minister or a ministry.
The district is enjoying so many constitutional posts for the first time. Though belonging to different political parties, the legislators and MPs can work together as a political force for the development of the district. Their collective power can be used to get things done from the government. While working for their respective constituencies at the individual level, they can do many more things for the district collectively, said knowledgeable people from political circles.
