Maharashtra MLC Elections: Congress Beats BJP in Nagpur as MVA Leads 3–2

Congress defeated the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Nagpur during Maharashtra’s Legislative Council elections. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) won three of five graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies.

The ruling Mahayuti alliance secured two seats, giving the opposition a significant political advantage. Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) won two seats, while Congress captured Nagpur. Congress candidate Abhijeet Wanjari defeated BJP candidate Sudhakar Kohale by 3,271 votes. Wanjari secured 67,231 votes, while Kohale received 63,960 votes. Congress celebrated its second consecutive victory against the BJP in Nagpur. The BJP had controlled this constituency for 58 years before Congress defeated it in 2020. Nagpur also houses the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

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Opposition Criticises BJP Leadership and Demands a Return to Ballot Papers

Wanjari credited his victory to strategic planning rather than political strength. He emphasised that a strong campaign strategy could defeat a powerful opponent. Maharashtra Congress president Harshawardhan Sapkal criticised the BJP’s leadership following the election results. He claimed that money and muscle power could not prevent the ruling party’s defeat. He also highlighted Congress’s repeated victories in Nagpur against prominent BJP leaders. Meanwhile, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leaders questioned electronic voting and demanded a return to ballot papers. National spokesperson Clyde Crasto urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider restoring paper ballots nationwide.

He argued that these election results demonstrated the importance of ballot-paper voting. Opposition leaders also criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over a reportedly deleted social media post. Rohit Pawar and Crasto shared screenshots, accusing Fadnavis of arrogance and overconfidence. They argued that the ruling alliance should learn from its electoral setback. Rohit Pawar described the deleted post as disappointing and criticised the chief minister’s attitude. He noted that Fadnavis had personally campaigned to persuade rebel candidates to withdraw. Pawar said the BJP’s defeat in Nagpur delivered a strong political message. The results have embarrassed Mahayuti and strengthened the opposition ahead of future political contests. The BJP now faces pressure to examine its campaign strategy and address internal weaknesses.

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