Nagpur/Amravati: The BJP-led Mahayuti delivered a strong electoral performance across Vidarbha in the legislative council local authorities constituency elections, securing commanding victories in Nagpur, Amravati and Bhandara-Gondia, and reinforcing the region’s emergence as one of the alliance’s strongest political bastions in Maharashtra.Celebrations began almost immediately after the result was declared within nearly 90 minutes of counting of votes. BJP workers gathered in large numbers at Swagat Lawn in Civil Lines in Nagpur and celebrated the victories with drumbeats, gulaal and sweets. When BJP-backed Mahayuti candidate from Nagpur local authorities constituency Dr Rajiv Potdar arrived around 10.30 am, workers carried him on their shoulders in a celebratory procession.Referring to his remaining tenure in the legislative council, Dr Potdar said, “I have only one-and-a-half years, so I will have to play like a Twenty20 match. My priority will be resolving issues related to municipal councils, corporations and the public.”Congress candidate Atul Londhe alleged that BJP used money and political influence during the election. “Looking at the numbers, we knew what the result would be. I have not been defeated politically; it is a moral victory for me,” he said.In Amravati, BJP candidate Pravin Pote secured a third consecutive victory with a record 390 votes in the first round itself, polling 92.63% of valid votes. VBA candidate Nilesh Vishwakarma polled 31 votes, while Congress candidate Harshjeet Deshmukh failed to open his account.A total of 427 votes were cast in Amravati, of which six were declared invalid. The total valid votes stood at 421, thus the winning quota was fixed at 211.The Congress campaign in Amravati suffered setbacks after Deshmukh fell ill during the campaign period and underwent angiography in Nagpur. Internal differences within the local Congress unit also weakened the opposition’s campaign.The election in Amravati was marked by political confusion within the opposition ranks. Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress workers remained divided after Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) rebel Viplav Bajoria withdrew from the contest, while Congress candidate Harshjeet Deshmukh reportedly fell ill during the campaign. Adding to Congress discomfort, local party workers had openly called for boycott of their own nominee. Deshmukh eventually failed to secure even a single vote.Political observers said the results reflected the BJP’s expanding organisational strength in Vidarbha region, where the party has steadily consolidated its influence across multiple municipal corporations, councils and rural local bodies over the past decade.
