Congress Revival: Abhijit Vanjari Wins Nagpur Graduates’ Seat, Opens Party’s Account

The results of the Legislative Council (MLC) elections across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Karnataka are emerging for a total of 28 seats. While Congress had not won a seat in any of these states in the results reported by Wednesday night, the party has now opened its account with a victory in Maharashtra’s Nagpur Graduates’ Constituency. Congress candidate Abhijit Vanjari’s win has been formally declared, after the party had earlier claimed victory. The result comes after BJP leaders mocked Congress over its initial failure to win any seats. In Maharashtra, the BJP won the Pune Teachers’ Constituency, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena secured the Amravati Teachers’ seat. Congress won the Nagpur Graduates’ seat, and the NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar won the Pune Graduates’ Constituency. In the Sambhajinagar Graduates’ Constituency, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP candidate was leading, with counting still underway. According to the figures cited in the report, the Mahayuti alliance had won two seats, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi had secured three. Congress had fielded 12 candidates across the 28 seats and had won one seat at the time of the report. Vanjari’s victory in Nagpur has drawn particular political attention because the city is known as the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.