Nagpur University Teachers Association (NUTA) polls

As the date of much-awaited senate polls of Nagpur university approaches, hectic activities and deliberations were witnessed in the academic circles. Four major groups are in a race - Nagpur University Teachers Association (NUTA) headed by Eknath Kathale, Vidyapeeth Shikshan Manch by LG Deshpande, Young Teachers Association (YTA) and Vidarbha Vidyarthi Parishad (VVP) combine led by Baban Taywade and Mohan Bajpayee respectively, and newly formed Secular panel of Dr Vedprakash Mishra. A tough battle is on the cards among the contestants when the polls would be conducted on January 2 from 9am to 5pm in NU colleges spread over six districts, sources said.

On Tuesday, officiating registrar Mahesh Yenkie, returning officer for the polls, conducted a workshop for NU officers on poll process, apprising them of ballot papers proforma, collecting them in ballot box, guiding voters and explaining them the procedure as well as rules and regulations.

Secular panel had already gained advantage with six of their members being elected unopposed. They include former engineering dean Dinesh Agrawal, Sanjiv Kumar Chaudhary and Pravin Dakhole from teacher's constituency in engineering faculty. Amol Singh Rotele secured the seat from the management category, Dadasaheb Kakore from post-graduate and Jasmine Gev Awari was elected from medicine category. The popular combination of YTA and VVP won two seats unopposed. They include Anil Zade and Rajabhau Khotpal from the teachers' constituency. MLAs Devendra Fadnavis and Sunil Kedar were also nominated which is believed to be a good news for lakhs of aggrieved NU students whose grievances were hardly raised by members.

As many as 157 contestants are in the fray for 129 senate seats. Their fate would be decided by more than 33,000 voters in graduates constituency, 4,805 in the teachers' constituency and another thousand from management, post-graduate and principal constituencies.

Though the Secular panel has started with a bang with six unopposed seats and YTA and VVP combine with two each, the exit of senior members Dr Mishra, Balraj Aher, GS Parasher and others has thrown the field wide open. It is also expected to change the NU politics.