The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday opted for a low-key show of strength while filing the nomination of former MLA Sudhakar Kohale for the Nagpur Division Graduates’ Constituency election, citing the prevailing drought situation and plight of farmers as the reason for avoiding a large gathering. The party had asked its workers and supporters to stay away from the premises of the Divisional Commissionerate during the nomination filing. Despite the restrained approach, the Mahayuti projected a strong show of unity, with senior leaders of all its constituent parties turning up to extend their support to Kohale.

 

The contrast was evident when compared with the nomination filing of Maha Vikas Aghadi candidate Adv Abhijeet Wanjari, when several prominent alliance leaders remained absent. Before proceeding to the Divisional Commissionerate, Kohale, accompanied by Mahayuti leaders, garlanded the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar at Samvidhan Square. The leaders later assembled at Swagat Lawn, where senior members of the alliance expressed their support for the BJP candidate. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, former Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, Ministers Adv Ashish Jaiswal and Dr Pankaj Bhoyar, MLAs Pravin Datke, Sameer Meghe and Krishna Khopde, MLC Dr Parinay Fuke, Gondia MLA Vinod Agrawal, MLCs Krupal Tumane and Sanjay Bhende, MP Maya Iwanate, BJP State Organising Secretary Dr Upendra Kothekar, BJP City President Dayashankar Tiwari, former MP Ajay Sancheti, Padma Shri Dr Vikas Mahatme, Ramdas Tadas, former MLA Vikas Kumbhare, NMC Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Dani Wakhare, Jaideep Kawade of People’s Republican Party, Corporator Suraj Goje, NIT Trustee Sandip Itkelwar, Corporator Ritesh Gawande were among those present. Later, Kohale, accompanied by a few senior leaders, proceeded to the office of the Divisional Commissioner, where he formally submitted his nomination papers to Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer Vijayalaxmi Bidari. The BJP’s decision to keep the nomination programme deliberately restrained is being viewed as an attempt to avoid a show of political extravagance at a time when several parts of the region are facing a drought-like situation. At the same time, the presence of leaders from the BJP and its Mahayuti allies indicated that the ruling alliance intends to fight the Graduate constituency election unitedly. The gathering also provided an opportunity for the alliance leadership to publicly demonstrate coordination and collective backing for Kohale’s candidature.

 

 

Mahayuti’s official candidate Sudhakar Kohale filed his nomination papers from the Nagpur Division Graduates’ Constituency on Tuesday, with Revenue Minister and Nagpur-Amravati Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule expressing confidence that he would win by a huge margin. Speaking to mediapersons at Nagpur airport, Bawankule said, “We could not win the seat last time. However, this time all constituents of the Mahayuti, along with party workers and office-bearers, are working unitedly. Therefore, I am confident that Sudhakar Kohale will win with a huge majority.” On BJP leader Anil Sole’s decision to file his nomination independently, Bawankule said Sole may be temporarily upset and efforts would be made to address his grievances. “We will certainly discuss the matter with him and try to resolve his differences. I am confident that he will withdraw his nomination,” he said. Mahayuti discussing Amravati Teacher seat: Regarding the Amravati Division Teachers’ Constituency, Bawankule said the issue had been discussed at the Mahayuti meeting and a view had emerged that the Shiv Sena should contest the seat. “However, the final decision and official announcement will be made jointly by State BJP president Ravindra Chavan and the presidents of the concerned Mahayuti constituents,” he said.

 

Seat-sharing talks underway: Asked about Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Delhi visit, Bawankule said positive discussions were underway among Mahayuti constituents regarding seat-sharing. “Sometimes one party gets an advantage and sometimes another. But decisions in Mahayuti are taken through discussions. The preliminary approach is to contest the seats currently held by respective parties on a ‘sitting-getting’ basis. The remaining seats will be decided through mutual understanding,” he said. Talks with rebels till withdrawal deadline: Bawankule said the situation could change even after candidates filed their nomination papers, as the final day for withdrawal was still ahead. Wherever there is rebellion, discussions will be held with the concerned candidates and efforts will be made to persuade them to withdraw their nominations,” he said.

 

 

 

 

 

The Congress on Monday put up a strong show of strength as its sitting MLC Adv Abhijeet Wanjari filed his nomination papers for the Nagpur Division Graduates’ Constituency election, accompanied by a large gathering of senior party leaders, legislators and workers. Congress sought to send a clear political message by turning Wanjari’s nomination into a show of unity and organisational strength. Congress leaders and workers gathered at GPO Square and, raising slogans in support of Wanjari and the party, took out a rally to the Divisional Commissionerate. Wanjari, accompanied by senior leaders, reached the office of the Divisional Commissioner and submitted his nomination papers. Earlier Adv Wanjari accompanied by other leaders paid respects at the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar at Samvidhan square. The gathering included MPCC President Harshvardhan Sapkal, MLA Vijay Wadettiwar, former MPCC President Nana Patole, former Minister Anil Deshmukh, MLA Vikas Thakre, Ramtek MP Shyamkumar Barve, former Minister Sunil Kedar, former Minister Rajendra Mulak, Ranjit Kamble, ex-MLA Ashok Dhawad, MLA Sanjay Meshram, City Congress President Praful Gudadhe, General Secretary Girish Pandav, State Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe, Corporator Atul Kotecha, AICC office-bearer Abhijeet Sapkal, Sanjay Dubey, Suresh Bhoyar and Suresh Jagyasi. Youth Congress leaders Ajitsingh, Akshay Hete and Pranaysingh Thakur were also among those present. The rally subsequently proceeded to Jawahar Vidyarthi Gruh, where Wanjari began his election campaign. The participation of leaders from different levels of the party was aimed at projecting a united Congress ahead of the crucial election. The absence of MLA Dr Nitin Raut, however, was noticeable. His supporters said that Raut was unwell and hence could not attend the programme. Wanjari’s nomination assumes significance as the Congress has already made its choice clear, while the BJP continued to keep its candidate under wraps. The Congress’ show of strength also comes against the backdrop of a keen contest expected in the Nagpur Graduates’ Constituency. With Wanjari seeking another term and the BJP finalising candidate on Sunday, attention is now focused on whether the opposition unity displayed at Wanjari’s nomination will translate into electoral support. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Ex-MLC Prof Anil Sole on Monday filed his nomination papers for the 2026 Nagpur Division Graduates’ Constituency election, asserting that he was entering the electoral fray to provide an effective platform to address the issues and aspirations of graduates. Prof Anil Sole had won from this constituency in 2014 when BJP fielded him. He remained MLC till 2020. But in 2020, the party denied him ticket and fielded Sandip Joshi. This time he had claimed that BJP would give him ticket, instead Party fielded Sudhakar Kohale. Expressing displeasure, Sole filed nomination as an Independent. Prof Sole submitted his nomination papers at the office of the Divisional Commissioner at around 1.30 pm. Before filing his papers, he visited a temple and sought divine blessings. He also met veteran homoeopathic expert, social worker and Padma Shri awardee Dr Vilas Dangre and sought his blessings. Speaking to mediapersons after filing his nomination, Prof Sole outlined his priorities, including the overall development of the Nagpur Division and resolution of various issues confronting graduates. He said creating employment opportunities for educated youth, strengthening education and promoting skill development would be among his key priorities. Prof Sole said he had entered the election fray with the objective of ensuring that the concerns of graduates received an effective voice and representation. He thanked graduates, office-bearers, party workers, supporters and citizens who were present in large numbers during the filing of his nomination. 

 

 

 

 

 AS MANY as 18 candidates filed 24 nomination papers on Monday for the Nagpur Division Graduates’ Constituency election to the Maharashtra Legislative Council, taking the total number of nomination papers filed so far to 30. Adv Raman Senad of Lok Jagruti Morcha and Wardha’s Nitesh Karale who are contesting as Independents whose nominations are among the 24 filed on Monday. Adv Senad has been working as an academician and social worker since long. He has established his connect in all six districts and promised to raise the issues of graduates in the Council if elected. October 6 is the last date for filing nominations. The scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on October 7, while candidates can withdraw their nominations up to October 9. Those who filed their nomination papers on Monday include Shivaji Sonsare (Independent), Adv Pradeep Somkunwar (Independent), Congress candidate Adv Abhijeet Wanjari, BJP candidate Sudhakar Kohale, Siddharth Nikose (Baliraja Party), Uttamprakash Shahare (Independent), Anil Sole (Independent), Nitesh Karale (Independent), Ashok Lanjewar (Independent), Vinayak Avachat (Independent), Gajanan Lokhande (Independent), Rajendra Atram (Independent), Manzil Gedam (Independent), Raman Senad (Independent), Pramod Gurpude (Independent), Narendra Patil (Independent), Ramrao Chavan (Jai Vidarbha Party) and Jagdish Wadibhasme (Independent). Six candidates filed two nomination papers each — Shivaji Sonsare, Adv Abhijeet Wanjari, Sudhakar Kohale, Siddharth Nikose, Anil Sole and Manzil Gedam. The election will be held on October 23 from 8 am to 4 pm. The counting of votes will take place on October 27, 2026. The entire election process is scheduled to be completed by October 31. With the nomination process drawing to a close, the focus will now shift to scrutiny of the papers and the final list of candidates after the withdrawal deadline. “The trust and support of graduates is my real strength,” Prof Sole said, adding that he would make sustained efforts to raise their issues and work for their interests. Sunil Agrawal, Prakash Lonare, Vilas Trivedi, Balasaheb Kulkarni, Adv Lanjewar, Dr Satyawan Meshram, Pratik Ghode and Dr Shyam Punde were among those present. Dashrath Maske, Sunil Shrivas, Dilip Jadhav, Suresh Savai, Deepak Arora, Raju Babhra, Adv Adtani, Chandrakant Rothe, Jayant Adamane, Anup Patil, Satish Yadav, Vanda Kothale and Hanote were also present.