Amid Supriya-Sunetra contest, a new challenger enters fray in Baramati: Sharad Pawar, the autorickshaw driver

IGF president Keshav Kshirsagar said the decision to field their people in elections arose as no political leader included in their manifesto any issue pertaining to the welfare of the gig workers.

Sharad Pawar, a 36-year-old autorickshaw driver, will contest independently from Baramati. (Express)

The Pune-based Gig Workers Union announced the names of candidates who will be contesting from four Lok Sabha constituencies in Pune district and also declared their election manifesto.

The Indian Gig Workers Front (IGF) is set to contest from Pune, Baramati, Maval, and Shirur parliamentary constituencies.

Sharad Pawar, a 36-year-old autorickshaw driver, will contest independently from Baramati. A 39-year-old tempo driver will compete in Pune. In Shirur, Swapnil Londe (29), a food delivery professional, will vie for the seat, while Santosh Walgudi (37), a cab driver, will contest from Maval.

The IGF’s manifesto outlines five main objectives focused on securing rights for app-based platform gig workers. Firstly, they aim to halt the issuance of auto and taxi permits to restore the driving business. Secondly, the union plans to disband online aggregator fleets and push for the enforcement of declared taxi fares. Thirdly, they seek to double the income of gig workers working for platforms such as Zomato, Swiggy, and Urbanclap, while advocating for the introduction of the Maharashtra Gig Workers Act in Parliament.

The other point incorporated into the manifesto is to stop the huge fines levied by the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) on tempo drivers operating under companies like Porter. Lastly, around 24X7 labour help centres will be established and will facilitate the Gharkul scheme (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna), providing affordable housing for labourers in Pune.

IGF president Keshav Kshirsagar said the decision to field their people in elections arose as no political leader included in their manifesto any issue pertaining to the welfare of the gig workers.

“We are aiming for those four lakh families whose livelihoods are adversely affected by the exploitation of online companies. This figure could potentially increase to around 16 lakh after considering the other members of these four lakh families,” he said.
Kshirsagar said the primary objective is to show parties that the workers, who have been ignored for many years, can also fight against them.

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Additionally, IGF has declared that around 2,000-4,000 workers will participate in a show of strength set to be held this month in front of the collector’s office.

Shubham Tigga

Shubham Tigga is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, presently based in Pune, where he covers the intersections of infrastructure, labor, and the modern economy. His reporting focuses on civil aviation, urban mobility, the gig economy, and workers' unions, providing critical insights into how transit and commercial sectors impact the daily lives of citizens. Expertise & Background Before moving to Pune, he reported extensively from his home state of Chhattisgarh, where he focused on Indigenous (Adivasi) issues, environmental justice, and grassroots struggles in mainland India. This experience gives him a unique lens through which he analyzes the impact of large-scale infrastructure projects on local communities. Academic Foundation He is an alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), where he honed his skills in investigative reporting and ethical journalism. His academic training, combined with his field experience in Central India, allows him to navigate complex socio-economic landscapes with nuance and accuracy. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More

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