Maharashtra Assembly Elections In Pune: Transgender Community Boycotts Polls In Protest

A section of Pune’s transgender community has decided to boycott the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly elections, citing the lack of representation of their demands in the polls. According to Manasi Goilkar, founder of the Shikhandi Trust, the government and parties have failed to take up the issue of vertical reservation for the transgender community. This decision was made after realizing that none of the parties were willing to discuss the issue, despite their persistent efforts.

The Pune district has a significant number of transgender voters, with 805 registered voters, but Goilkar estimates that the actual number is much higher, exceeding 10,000. She expressed disappointment that none of the political parties or candidates bothered to meet with them or address their concerns. The community has been fighting for reservation, but their voices have been ignored. Goilkar emphasized that the boycott is a result of this neglect, saying, “We have decided to boycott the polls for this.”

While Shameebha Patil is the only transgender candidate in the state, running from the Raver constituency in the Jalgaon district, she has faced sexist comments from her opponents. The ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, the BJP, and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party, is pitted against the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, a coalition of Sharad Pawar’s NCP, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Congress. Voting is taking place in 21 of the 288 seats of the Maharashtra Assembly in Pune.

Balwadkar

The boycott by the transgender community highlights the need for greater representation and inclusion of marginalized groups in the political process. It is essential for parties to acknowledge and address the concerns of all citizens, including those from the transgender community, to ensure that their voices are heard and their rights are protected. 

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