Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Nagpur, October 29: The Congress has finally opened its account in the elections to the Legislative Councils, securing a significant victory in Maharashtra's Nagpur Division Graduates' Constituency. The result has given the party an opportunity to hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after uncertainty over whether Congress would manage to win any seats in the elections to 28 Legislative Council seats across four states.

Following the victory, Congress took a swipe at the Prime Minister, responding to his earlier criticism with a pointed question: “Tell us, who won in Nagpur?” The remark reflected the party's confidence after its candidate, Abhijit Wanjari, defeated the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) candidate, Sudhakar Kohale, in a closely contested election.

Wanjari secured a total of 67,231 votes, combining first-preference and second-preference votes, while Kohale received 63,960 votes. The Congress candidate won by a margin of 3,271 votes, delivering a setback to the BJP in a constituency that has considerable political significance in Maharashtra.

The result is particularly noteworthy because Nagpur is widely regarded as an important political stronghold for the BJP. Wanjari's victory has therefore provided the Congress with an opportunity to highlight its electoral performance and challenge the ruling party's political dominance in the region. The outcome is also likely to give the Congress renewed confidence as it seeks to strengthen its position among graduates and other urban voters.

Reacting to his victory, Wanjari said he had made every effort to fulfil the responsibilities associated with representing the graduates' constituency. Recalling his first election to the seat six years ago, he pointed out that several of the tasks expected to be completed in the constituency had remained unfinished at that time.

“When I was elected from this graduates' constituency for the first time six years ago, many of the works that were supposed to be undertaken in the area had still not been completed,” Wanjari said.

He emphasised that a separate graduates' constituency carries a distinct responsibility towards educated voters and that he had worked to uphold the dignity and purpose of the representation. According to Wanjari, he had made every possible effort to ensure that his work reflected the expectations associated with such a constituency.

The victory has come at a politically significant moment for the Congress, which was facing questions about its prospects in the Legislative Council elections across four states. Winning in Nagpur has allowed the party to present the result as an important achievement and respond directly to criticism from its political opponents.

The exchange involving Modi and the Congress has added a political dimension to the election result. By asking who had won in Nagpur, the party sought to turn the outcome into a pointed response to the Prime Minister's remarks, drawing attention to its candidate's victory over the BJP.

For the Congress, Wanjari's win represents more than a single electoral success. It offers the party an opportunity to reinforce its presence in Maharashtra and underline its ability to compete against the BJP in a constituency with considerable political importance. For the BJP, the defeat is a reminder that even in areas where it enjoys a strong organisational presence, electoral contests can produce closely fought outcomes.

The political debate continues, the Nagpur result is likely to remain a talking point for both parties. While the Congress has celebrated Wanjari's victory and used it to target Modi politically, the BJP will be keen to assess the factors behind its candidate's defeat.

With a winning margin of 3,271 votes, Abhijit Wanjari's victory has given the Congress a much-needed boost in the Legislative Council elections and provided fresh ammunition for its political battle with the BJP.