For big parties education boosts image, prefer candidates' work

Updated on: Wednesday, February 01, 2012

The top leadership of prominent parties in Pune is not educationally challenged as they all are either post-graduates or hold an additional qualification with their bachelor's degree. And, there is consensus that their academic qualification has helped them in their political careers.

But when it comes to fielding candidates who have at least a graduation degree, they assert that educational qualification cannot be the 'only criteria'. Aspirants' work at the grassroots and his/her knowledge of civic issues needs to be appreciated while giving out tickets for contesting the civic polls, they said.

Vandana Chavan, president, NCP city unit

Educational Qualification: B.Sc and L.L.B

A graduation in law helps in better understanding of issues. A good academic qualification improves your political image. We have given special weightage to academic qualification while deciding the tickets, this time. Some of our party candidates include a doctor, an advocate and even those who with a masters' degree in business administration.

In some wards, it is difficult to find qualified candidates to contest the civic elections. We had a tough time in identifying candidates in some plush localities as educated people simply want to stay away from politics.

Also, educational qualification cannot be the only criteria. I have several examples of corporators who have done a wonderful job though they had no formal education. During my tenure as the mayor of Pune, an illiterate woman corporator from Wadarwadi often raised issues concerning her ward at various fora. She always managed to get the civic problems in her area redressed while many educated corporators often failed to forcefully voice the issues of their area.

Abhay Chhajed, president, Congress city unit:

Educational Qualification: B.Sc, L.L.B, Diploma in business management and diploma in journalism

I was a practicing lawyer when I joined politics. I am conversant with most of the legislations that govern the functioning of a municipal corporation. The civic officials cannot take you for a ride if you know legislations and acts. Hence, a law graduate is able to perform much better when compared to others.

We have given preference to educated candidates while giving tickets for the February 2012 civic polls. Having an educational qualification is an added advantage but not a rule by itself. Graduation cannot be the criteria for contesting civic polls as there are many graduates who have performed badly as corporator. On the other hand, there are members who did not have any educational qualification, but have a good grasp and are committed to the development of the city.

Vikas Mathkari, president, BJP city unit:

Educational Qualification: M.Com and MA in sociology

My education has immensely benefited me in understanding civic issues. Also, my professional qualification as a lecturer in a prominent city college has helped me connect with youngsters. The traditional BJP voters in Pune always support a person who is well-educated.

I know that many of my party corporators do not have a good academic qualification. But, the situation is changing. Many highly qualified aspirants applied for tickets to our party, this year. Though we were not able to give tickets to all of them this time, we have appointed them on various party activity forums such as BJP's IT forum and higher education forum.

Just because one does not have an academic qualification does not mean that he or she will not be able to deliver as a corporator. We have a corporator who is a graduate but has done very little work in her municipal ward. On the other hand, a seventh standard passed woman corporator has contributed greatly for promoting education by starting a girls' school in Kondhwa for the minority community.

Neelam Gorhe, Shiv Sena spokesperson and Pune co-ordinator.

Educational Qualification: BAMS and Diploma in Training and Orientation (social development).

I was a medical practitioner and my rapport with patients helped me when I joined politics. But, more than my academic qualifications, what contributed more to my political career was my fight to voice the problems of women. Ideally, one can say that a corporator from Pune should at least be a graduate, but what about those who have fought for the rights of people on the streets. Life is also a school. Though you may not get a degree in this school, your fight for the rights of poor and oppressed gives you knowledge and courage to represent them. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's experiment to conduct a written test of its aspirants was a political stunt. We believe in giving training to our elected members on how they should work as citizens' representatives rather then focus only on their education.

Anil Shidore, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, state general secretary and coordinator for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad:

Educational Qualification: B.Sc and Masters in Social Work (MSW):

I had won a gold medal in my MSW examination and this gave me an opportunity to work at different funding agencies and tour many countries. It helped me develop a better perspective of the issues when I joined politics.

I strongly feel that a corporator should have a sound academic qualification. Take the case of Pune metro. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) of metro was in English language and was technical. When I asked many elected members if they had read the report they said no. They had based their support and objections to the DPR relying on newspaper reports. Hence, I demanded that the DPR be published in Marathi.

Pune is growing and the civic body will be required to discuss several such infrastructure projects. Day by day, the issues of governance in the PMC will be technical in nature. If you do not have an academic qualifi-cation, how will you participate in the decision-making process?

Secondly, contrary to common belief, the duties of a corporator fall under 'participatory democracy' and not under 'representative democracy' like an MLA or an MP. A corporator is expected to participate in the governance of the PMC. And, if he is not qualified for the same he will not be able to perform his statutory duty?

Hence, the MNS conducted a written examination of all its members. I will not say that all our nominated members have a very sound academic background. But, we have at least tried to strike a balance between candidates ability to win the polls and his competence. All parties should at least try this out. Each party should try to ensure how competent candidates will be able to win the election rather than focusing on some one who has the power to gather mob, but has no competence to work in PMC after getting elected.

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Education exposes irregularities

Vivek Velankar, founder member, Pune Nagrik Sanghatana

Educational Qualification: Bachelor of engineering (BE) and MBA

I have not contested any civic election, but my education helped me understand the civic issues and expose the irregularities in the functioning of the civic body by exercising the Right To Information Act, 2005. I strongly feel that those who aspire to become corporators should have a sound academic qualification, a graduation is a must and they also need to have some kind of professional expertise in some field. Such qualification will help increase their awareness.

Voters often complain that the educated class does not contest the civic polls and they do not have choice. Someone needs to make a beginning. Hence, we have fielded 15 candidates. All are graduates. They may not hav

Times of India

For big parties education boosts image, prefer candidates' work

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