Nagpur, October 29, 2026: Congress candidate Abhijit Wanjari has retained the Nagpur Division Graduates’ constituency in the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections, defeating BJP candidate Sudhakar Kohale by 3,271 votes after a marathon counting process lasting more than 40 hours.
Wanjari Secures 67,231 Votes
Wanjari finished with 67,231 votes, while Kohale received 63,960 after first- and second-preference votes were counted.
Independent candidate Nitesh Karale had earlier secured 24,249 first-preference votes.
BJP Had Led During Early Counting
Kohale was ahead by 4,294 votes after the second round, with 60,924 first-preference votes against Wanjari’s 56,630.
Since no candidate reached the required quota, counting moved into elimination and second-preference rounds, where Wanjari eventually overtook the BJP nominee.
Big Setback in BJP Stronghold
The result carries particular political significance because Nagpur is the home city of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Both leaders had campaigned extensively for Kohale.
Gadkari Represented Seat for 24 Years
The Nagpur Graduates’ constituency was once considered a reliable BJP stronghold.
Nitin Gadkari represented the seat in the Legislative Council for 24 years, from 1990 to 2014.
Congress Wins Seat for Second Straight Time
Wanjari had also defeated BJP candidate Sandip Joshi in the previous election.
His latest victory means Congress has now defeated the BJP in the constituency in two consecutive elections.
MVA Wins Three of Five Maharashtra Seats
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi won three of the five Maharashtra Legislative Council seats contested in the October 23 elections.
The ruling Mahayuti alliance won the remaining two.
Result Sparks Questions for BJP
The Nagpur defeat has triggered political discussion within the BJP and the Mahayuti alliance, particularly because the party had initially led during counting and regarded the constituency as strategically important.
Prestige Battle Ends in Congress Victory
The contest ultimately became one of Maharashtra’s most closely watched MLC races.
For Congress, retaining the seat in the Fadnavis-Gadkari stronghold gives the party a symbolic political boost, while the BJP is expected to review how it lost a constituency with deep historical links to the party.
Source: PTI, The Indian Express, Times of India, Hindustan Times
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