Congress Renominates Wanjarri for Nagpur Graduates Polls Amid BJP Uncertainty
As the nomination deadline approaches, Congress has confirmed Abhijit Govindrao Wanjarri as its candidate, while BJP is still deliberating its options.
Congress has renominated Abhijit Govindrao Wanjarri for the Nagpur Graduates constituency.
BJP is considering multiple candidates, including Sudhir Diwe, amid concerns over internal support.
The election process is set to conclude by October 31, with polling scheduled for October 23.
In a significant development ahead of the Nagpur Graduates constituency elections, the Congress party has officially renominated sitting MLC Abhijit Govindrao Wanjarri. This announcement comes as the deadline for nominations approaches, with only days left for candidates to file their papers. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has yet to finalize its candidate, creating an air of uncertainty around its strategy.
The BJP's indecision is notable, particularly as it seeks to regain a seat it lost to Congress in the 2020 elections. Wanjarri won that contest by a margin of over 18,000 votes against the BJP's former mayor, Sandip Joshi. Historically, the BJP has held this constituency for decades, with notable representatives including Union minister Nitin Gadkari and Gangadharrao Fadnavis, the father of current Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Currently, BJP's voter registration in-charge for the constituency, Kohale, and another potential candidate, Sole, are actively engaging with voters. Reports suggest that both names are still under consideration. Additionally, the party is contemplating introducing a third candidate, Sudhir Diwe, who has previously worked as an officer on special duty for Gadkari. A senior party official indicated that the choice of candidates could be influenced by the potential for supporter division between Kohale and Sole.
As Congress gears up for the elections, Wanjarri's supporters have begun outreach efforts to graduates within the constituency, aligning with the party's organizational strategy from the previous election. Key Congress leaders, including Maharashtra Congress in-charge Srinivas BV and MPCC president Harshwardhan Sapkal, are expected to accompany Wanjarri during his nomination, signaling a show of strength from the party.
The election timeline is critical, with the nomination process commencing on September 29 and the last date for filing nominations set for October 6. Following this, nominations will be scrutinized on October 7, and candidates can withdraw their nominations until October 9. Polling is scheduled for October 23, with counting on October 27, and the entire election process is to be concluded by October 31. The early interest in the election is evident, as 29 prospective candidates reportedly collected 53 nomination forms on the first day, indicating a competitive race ahead.
