BJP suffers a major setback in its traditional stronghold as Nitesh Karale’s votes overturn Sudhakar Kohale’s lead
Nagpur, October 28: In a dramatic reversal in the Nagpur Divisional Graduates’ Constituency election, Congress candidate Abhijit Wanjari defeated BJP’s Sudhakar Kohale, with second-preference votes of independent candidate Nitesh Karale, popularly known as Karale Guruji, emerging as a decisive factor in the contest.
Second-Preference Votes Change the Outcome
The counting witnessed several twists. The BJP initially trailed before Kohale built a lead of around 4,000 votes. After the counting of votes for 30 candidates, his advantage reportedly increased to nearly 5,000 votes.
However, the final rounds of second-preference counting dramatically changed the picture. Kohale’s lead fell to approximately 1,200 votes, while nearly 14,000 votes associated with Karale were still to be counted.
A substantial share of Karale’s second-preference votes reportedly went to Wanjari, helping the Congress candidate erase Kohale’s advantage and secure victory.
BJP Faces a Major Setback in Its Stronghold
The result is a significant blow to the BJP in a constituency that has remained a traditional stronghold of the party for decades. The political influence of leaders such as Gangadharrao Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has long been associated with the region.
The party had faced internal discontent over its candidate selection. After Anil Sole was denied a ticket in the previous election, the BJP suffered a defeat. This time, the decision to field Sudhakar Kohale despite reported resentment among party workers again raised questions about internal unity.
Anil Sole’s open rebellion reportedly prompted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to visit his residence in an effort to persuade him. The Chief Minister also spent two days in Nagpur, holding meetings with representatives of educational institutions, social organisations and business groups to strengthen the party’s campaign.
The BJP had hoped that increased voter turnout would help Kohale secure victory through first-preference votes. However, the final counting rounds overturned those expectations.
Candidate Selection Under Scrutiny
Wanjari’s victory is likely to intensify debate within the BJP over candidate selection, organisational unity and the handling of internal dissent.
The outcome also highlights the importance of second-preference votes in graduates’ constituency elections, where an early lead does not necessarily guarantee victory.
Karale’s voter base proved crucial in the final stages, turning a closely fought contest into a major political setback for the BJP in Nagpur.
The result serves as a reminder that electoral arithmetic, voter preferences and internal party dynamics can reshape even the most
