Anil Sole to contest Nagpur graduates' seat as independent after BJP picks Sudhakar Kohle

The BJP announced Sudhakar Kohle as its candidate for the Nagpur division graduates' constituency of the Legislative Council, and news of dissent within the party followed almost immediately. Former MLC and former mayor Anil Sole announced on social media that he would file his nomination as an independent candidate.

At election time every party has more aspirants than tickets, but only one gets the ticket, and some aspirants turn rebel. This is seen less often in a disciplined party like the BJP than in other parties. Sole's decision has caused a stir in the party. The talk is how a senior leader who began his political career with the ABVP, was a five-time corporator, served as mayor and reached the Legislative Council from this very seat in 2014 can step outside the "party line".

Sole had also sought the ticket. He had been preparing for a long time and had been in continuous touch with voters since the time of voter registration. For the past two months he had been staking his claim to the seat. His supporters had made a show of strength in the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. About a week ago, Sole had also declared his resolve to contest. His supporters had already hinted at rebellion with social media posts saying "Our decision is made". He will file his nomination on Monday at 1.30 pm.

In 2020 as well, Sole had sought another ticket, but despite being the sitting MLC his ticket was cut and Sandip Joshi was made the candidate. Joshi lost that election. Sole has now staked his claim again.

Sole's decision has come as a jolt to BJP leaders, and the party has begun scrambling for damage control. Efforts will be made to placate him. Party strategists working on damage control have expressed confidence that Sole will withdraw his nomination within two to three days. Sole is a member of the BJP core committee. He was also invited to the meeting held on Sunday evening but did not attend. The damage his candidature could cause is also being assessed.

Efforts will also be made to placate advocate Raman Senah. Claiming association with the Sangh's work from the Shishu varg of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, he had sought the candidature, citing his work in the ABVP, VHP and BJP. He had also met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari about it. If the party does not heed his demand, he plans to file his nomination on behalf of the Lokjagruti Morcha. He too will make things difficult for the BJP's official candidate. It remains to be seen whether these rebels withdraw or stay in the fray.

The BJP has a long history of rebels in Nagpur. In 2009, the South Nagpur seat went to the Shiv Sena, which Mohan Mate did not accept. Despite the party's official decision, he filed his nomination as an independent and stayed in the contest. He was later expelled from the party and remained out for about a decade. After 2014 he was taken back into the BJP and is now an MLA.

In the same 2009 Assembly election, Girish Vyas also rebelled after being denied a ticket. He was an aspirant for the Central Nagpur seat, but the party gave it to Vikas Kumbhare. Vyas then filed his nomination as an independent. Unlike Mate, he did not contest to the end. He withdrew his name after meeting Nitin Gadkari.