Bawankule urges graduates to elect BJP-Mahayuti's Sudhakar Kohle in Nagpur constituency poll

State Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has appealed to voters to elect Sudhakar Kohle, the official BJP-Mahayuti candidate, in the 2026 election to the Nagpur division graduates' constituency. He said this was necessary so that graduates' issues are raised effectively and they get justice. He was speaking at a graduates' interaction meet held on Wednesday at Mahesh Bhavan, organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party's Chandrapur Mahanagar unit.

Those present included Guardian Minister Dr Ashok Uike, former Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir, MLA Kishor Jorgewar, former MLA Anil Sole, OBC leader Ashok Jiwtode, Chandrapur District Central Co-operative Bank president Ravindra Shinde, Nationalist Congress Party district president Nitin Bhatarkar, Chandrapur district Mahanagar in-charge Archana Dehankar, and many BJP office-bearers and corporators.

Bawankule said there are many important issues concerning graduates in the state. To resolve them through the government, the Legislative Council needs a capable representative who can coordinate with the government. Urging graduate voters not to make any mistake while voting, he said a single vote cast for the wrong candidate could affect the resolution of graduates' issues. He therefore asked everyone to work together for Kohle, who would raise graduates' issues effectively in the House.

Criticising the sitting graduates' constituency MLA Abhijit Wanjari, Bawankule said no concrete work on graduates' issues was seen during his tenure. He alleged that Wanjari failed to raise these issues in the House beyond agitations. Alleging that Wanjari won the last election by misusing power, he said the issue of casteism was now being pushed forward because a defeat appeared likely.

Citing the work of Chandrapur MLA Kishor Jorgewar, Bawankule expressed confidence in his leadership. He said Jorgewar is accomplished, and if graduates back his appeal, he can make capable efforts to take issues to the government and resolve them through a graduates' MLA. He also appealed to party workers and graduate voters to take an active part in securing Kohle's victory.

Criticising the Congress's political stance, Bawankule said the party was creating confusion over EVMs and other issues. He alleged that its position on EVMs changes whenever it wins an election, and that the party's stand is convenient. He also targeted the opposition over the SIR issue. He alleged that when Mamata Banerjee's party is defeated in West Bengal, questions are raised about the SIR process, but a different position is taken on the same process where the Congress is in power, and he criticised this double standard. He also launched a sharp attack on MLA Vijay Wadettiwar.

Bawankule said a graduates' constituency election is not merely about choosing a candidate but an opportunity to give graduates' issues a proper platform. He therefore repeated his appeal to elect BJP-Mahayuti candidate Sudhakar Kohle so that these issues reach the government.

A poem presented by MLA Kishor Jorgewar at the event energised the gathering. He said: "No matter how many rallies and ceremonies the opposition holds, Sudhakar Kohle will still be elected! For the election chief is Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and to support him the co-chief is Anil Sole, so Sudhakar Kohle will be elected!"