Archive · 7 Oct 2026
BJP Fields Smita Jadhav for Pune Graduates’ Council Seat
Smita Jadhav is running for a seat in Maharashtra’s Legislative Council for the first time.
The BJP chose her as its candidate for a constituency where registered graduates vote.
She has worked in education and media, including in senior roles at Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth and Pudhari.
Her campaign says it will focus on jobs, education and helping graduates build skills and businesses.
Jadhav’s maternal uncle, Congress leader Satej Patil, supports the other political side.
He has said family ties and political choices are separate.
The constituency covers five districts in Maharashtra.
Voting is scheduled for October 23, 2026, and counting for October 27.
The BJP selected Dr. Smita Yogesh Jadhav to contest the Pune Division Graduates’ constituency in the Maharashtra Legislative Council election.
Jadhav is a first-time electoral candidate with senior roles in the Dr. D. Y. Patil education network and the Pudhari media group.
Her maternal uncle, Congress MLC Satej Patil, is on the opposing political side and has backed the opposition candidate.
Jadhav’s campaign highlights education, employment, skill development, startups and opportunities for graduates.
Voting is scheduled for October 23, 2026, across five districts, with counting scheduled for October 27.
- Who
- Dr. Smita Yogesh Jadhav, the BJP’s candidate, and other candidates for the Pune Division Graduates’ constituency.
- What
- Jadhav is entering electoral politics to contest a Maharashtra Legislative Council seat.
- When
- Voting is scheduled for October 23, 2026; counting is scheduled for October 27.
- Where
- The Pune Division Graduates’ constituency covers Pune, Solapur, Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur districts.
- Why
- Jadhav says her campaign will focus on education, employment, skill development and opportunities for graduates.
Jadhav and BJP
Opposition
Political support despite family ties
Jadhav and BJP
Jadhav is contesting on a BJP ticket, and her campaign is focused on graduates’ issues.
Opposition
Her maternal uncle, Congress MLC Satej Patil, has backed the opposition candidate; he says family relationships and political positions are separate.
- Party
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Seat
- Pune Division Graduates’ constituency, Maharashtra Legislative Council
- Registered graduate voters
- Around 3.11 lakh on the 2026 electoral roll
- Constituency districts
- Pune, Solapur, Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur
- Voting
- Scheduled for October 23, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Counting
- Scheduled for October 27, 2026
- Incumbent
- NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLC Arun Lad; his term ends December 6, 2026
- Campaign priorities
- Education, employment, skill development, higher education, startups and incubation centres