Jyoti Waghmare: Shinde Sena’s pick for Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra

Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena has nominated Jyoti Waghmare as the party candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections on Thursday (March 5, 2026). Seven candidates will file their nominations for the seven seats in the Rajya Sabha elections, which are expected to be unopposed in Maharashtra.

Ms. Waghmare joined the party in April 2023 following the Shiv Sena split, and was appointed as the State spokesperson and the district contact chief for Dharashiv.

Ms. Waghmare’s 15-year political and social career began in Solapur, with her involvement in the Ambedkarite movement. Her activism includes work with the Human Rights Campaign and the Vidrohi Cultural Movement. She served as a corporator in the Solapur Municipal Corporation before entering State politics. Her father, Nagnath Waghmare was a Dalit Panther activist.

Ms. Waghmare holds a Ph.D. in English Literature and has over a decade of experience as a college professor, including a stint at Walchand College. She has received State-level recognition for research on women’s issues.

As Shiv Sena’s spokesperson, Ms. Waghmare is a three-time speaker at the party’s annual Dussehra rallies. She is known for her sharp critiques of the Thackeray group’s leadership. Her Rajya Sabha ticket is seen as the party’s endorsement for her scholarly prowess, especially on the Constitution and Ambedkar’s teachings, and her strong grassroot presence in rural Western Maharashtra.

With over 230 MLAs in the 288-member Assembly, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which includes the NCP and the Shiv Sena, is in a position to ensure the election of all its nominees. The NCP and Shiv Sena have to nominate one candidate each.

The Rajya Sabha members from Maharashtra whose six-year term is ending in April are: Sharad Pawar, Athawale, Fauzia Khan of NCP (SP), Rajni Patil (Congress), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena-UBT), and Dhananjay Patil and Bhagwat Karad (both from BJP).