Kohle leads Nagpur graduates' seat count by over 4,000 votes as second-preference tally begins

Counting for the Nagpur graduates' constituency election, under way for about 30 hours, has reached its final stage. The first two rounds were counted on Tuesday morning, but no candidate secured the required quota on first-preference votes, so second-preference counting had to begin.

According to the latest update, 28 candidates have been eliminated. After that, BJP's Sudhakar Kohle has 61,029 votes and Congress's Abhijit Wanjari has 56,785. Kohle is ahead by 4,244 votes at present.

Another interesting detail has emerged during the count. The BJP had fielded Kohle for the Nagpur graduates' seat. Former MLA Anil Sole then rebelled. On October 12, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis himself went to Sole's house and persuaded him. Sole then withdrew from the election and backed Kohle, the BJP's official candidate. Even so, some graduate voters voted for Sole.

Sole received 267 first-preference votes and 7 postal ballot votes, a total of 274. The second preferences marked on these 274 votes were also counted. Of Sole's votes, Wanjari received 41 second-preference votes. Kohle received 88 second-preference votes. Independent candidate Nitesh Karale received 10.

Thus, the largest share of second preferences from Sole's votes went to BJP candidate Kohle. It is still notable that Sole's voters also gave Wanjari their second preference.

Only a little time remains before the result in the Nagpur graduates' constituency is fully clear. Kohle currently has a lead of about 4,000 votes. If the lead holds, his victory is considered certain.