“In politics, it is often believed that one must come from a powerful family, carry a big name, or have a prominent surname to succeed. I am not the daughter of an influential father, but my nomination for the Rajya Sabha election proves that if you work honestly for the party, even someone from a humble background will receive recognition from Shiv Sena’s chief leader and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and justice is delivered”- these were Shiv Sena’s Rajya Sabha candidate Dr. Jyoti Waghmare’s words as she was nominated as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha election from Maharashtra.
Dr. Waghmare, an outspoken and aggressive spokesperson of Shiv Sena, filed her nomination for the Rajya Sabha on Thursday in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Also present on the occasion were Shiv Sena MP and “Sansad Ratna” Dr Shrikant Shinde, Minister Dadaji Bhuse, Minister Sanjay Shirsat, MLC Dr Manisha Kayande, senior leader Gajanan Kirtikar, Anandrao Adsul, and other prominent party leaders.
Dr Waghmare said that the Rajya Sabha candidature given to her by Shinde was actually the “candidature of the 2.5 crore beloved sisters of Maharashtra.” She added that the opportunity given to a woman from a poor family like herself reflects justice for the daughters inspired by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. “My candidature represents the pen in the hands of Babasaheb, the slate in the hands of Savitribai Phule, and the rights given to us by the Constitution to live with dignity as human beings,” she said while expressing gratitude towards the great social reformers.
Dr Waghmare also shared that her parents are not even familiar with what the Rajya Sabha is, and even if she explains it to them, they might find it hard to believe. She added that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has broken the walls of caste and given an opportunity to an ordinary grassroots worker.
Expressing confidence that she will live up to the trust placed in her by the party, Waghmare thanked Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, MP Shrikant Shinde, and the Shiv Sena ministers, MPs, and MLAs.
Hailing from Solapur, she holds a PhD in English Literature and was a professor at Walchand College for 10 years. She is proficient in five languages — Marathi, Hindi, English, Telugu, and Kannada.
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Her father, Nagnath Waghmare, was a worker of the Dalit Panther movement. To support the family, he worked as a waiter in a hotel and has also worked as a construction laborer.
Growing up in extremely difficult circumstances, living in a tin-sheet house and often going to school barefoot, Jyoti Waghmare performed well academically, securing good marks in both her 10th and 12th examinations.
With the aim of using higher education for social awareness, Waghmare has delivered lectures across Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh on the lives and thoughts of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and Mahatma Basaveshwar.
She has been actively involved in social and political work for the past 15 years. After the party split in 2023, she accepted the leadership of Eknath Shinde. She was appointed as the State spokesperson of Shiv Sena and the contact chief of Dharashiv district.