Congress deals blow to BJP in Fadnavis-Gadkari bastion as Abhijit Wanjarri retains Nagpur MLC seat

In the recent Maharashtra Legislative Council elections, the Congress party secured a decisive victory over the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Nagpur, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) emerged as the overall winner with three out of five seats. The opposition alliance of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) won two seats, with Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress each winning a seat. The ruling Mahayuti alliance secured two seats.

The MVA, comprised of the NCP and Congress, triumphed in the three constituencies of graduates' and teachers' constituencies. Notably, Sharad Pawar’s NCP-led NCP SP won two of the three seats, while Congress secured the prestigious Nagpur seat, marking their second consecutive victory in the city that houses the RSS headquarters.

Congress’ sitting MLC Abhijeet Wanjari secured 67,231 votes, outpacing BJP’s Sudhakar Kohale who garnered 63,960 votes. Wanjari attributed the Congress' success to their strategic planning, stating, "Sometimes, an idea works better. Shaktipeksha yukti shreshtha (An idea is stronger than might). We strategised well."

The election results have reportedly caused embarrassment for the ruling alliance of Mahayuti. Congress' MLC Abhijeet Wanjari emphasized, "The illusionary bubble of Modi and Fadnavis has burst. MVA has registered a resounding victory in three seats in the Legislative Council elections."

Meanwhile, NCP SP leader Praful Patel called for introspection within the NCP, following the party's setback. He urged the party to regain the trust of the people and highlighted the irony of the BJP's arrogance and overconfidence leading to their defeat.