Anil Sole Challenges BJP in Nagpur Graduates’ Poll
Former BJP MLC Anil Sole runs as an independent, questioning the party's candidate selection process ahead of the Nagpur graduates' election.
Anil Sole, a former BJP MLC, is contesting as an independent candidate.
BJP's official nominee, Sudhakar Kohale, claims strong support from party leadership.
Polling is set for October 23, with a total of 38 candidates in the race.
In a significant political development, Anil Sole, a former Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is contesting the upcoming Nagpur division graduates' constituency election as an independent candidate. This move poses a considerable challenge to the BJP's efforts to secure the seat, especially as Sole has openly criticized the party's candidate selection process. The election is scheduled for October 23, with voting taking place from 8 AM to 4 PM.
Sole's candidacy stems from his dissatisfaction with the BJP's internal dynamics, particularly the selection of Sudhakar Kohale as the party's official nominee. At the inauguration of his election office, Sole expressed concerns that party workers and senior leaders were not consulted during the candidate selection. He emphasized that in the past, the party had a more democratic approach to choosing candidates, contrasting it with the current top-down method.
Sudhakar Kohale, on the other hand, maintains that he has the backing of key figures within the BJP, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and state president Ravindra Chavan. Kohale stated that he has been actively working on voter registration initiatives since his appointment as the candidate, claiming to have engaged with a majority of voters over the past 372 days. He remains optimistic about reclaiming the seat for the BJP, despite Sole's challenge.
BJP city president Dayashankar Tiwari downplayed the potential impact of Sole's independent run, highlighting the party's extensive voter registration campaign, which has reportedly registered 1.90 lakh out of 2.5 lakh voters. Tiwari acknowledged Sole's contributions to the party but reiterated that the BJP remains united and focused on the election. The contest has expanded beyond the BJP's internal strife, with Congress candidate Abhijit Wanjarri and several independent candidates also vying for the seat, potentially complicating the electoral landscape.
As the election approaches, a total of 38 candidates are in the fray, including notable figures from various parties and independents. The counting of votes is scheduled for October 27, with the election process expected to conclude by October 31. The outcome of this election will be crucial, not only for the candidates involved but also for the BJP's standing in the region as it seeks to maintain its influence amidst emerging challenges.
