Amravati: With just 11 days left for the Amravati Division Teachers’ Constituency Election, Maharashtra English School Trustees Association (MESTA) has withdrawn support for its candidate, Kiran Choudhari. The decision has caused a stir in teachers’ and political circles in Amravati.The decision follows allegations against Choudhari regarding breach of organisational discipline, failure to plan the election properly, ignoring seniors’ instructions and alleged collusion with the opposition.MESTA in-charge secretary Vinod Kulkarni confirmed the development. “The candidate failed to submit before the core committee the complete election plan for the remaining days, district and taluka-wise distribution of responsibilities and a concrete strategy for voter outreach,” said Kulkarni.MESTA has warned Choudhari not to use the organisation’s name, logo or photographs of any of its office-bearers on any campaign banners, posters, pamphlets or social media publicity. The organisation also barred him from identifying himself as “MESTA’s official candidate”. MESTA has warned that violation of the order will invite legal and further stringent action as per rules.For the last seven to eight days, Choudhari allegedly remained out of contact and gave incomplete, incorrect or misleading information to the core committee. “Ever since voter registration began, the candidate adopted a unilateral approach, remaining aloof from the organisation’s collective machinery. Despite repeated instructions from seniors, they were ignored,” MESTA said.The decision to withdraw support was taken by MESTA founder president Sanjay Tayde Patil, state vice-president Abhijit Deshmukh, Vidarbha region president Santosh Ghadekar, Maharashtra state organiser Anil Asalkar, state joint secretary Radhakrishna Gorde and Amravati Division president Sandeep Gavande along with other senior office-bearers.
