BJP's Kohale faces rebel Sole and Congress's Wanjari in Nagpur graduates' constituency poll

The election to the Nagpur graduates' constituency has taken an interesting turn. The BJP has named Sudhakar Kohale as its candidate for the seat. However, senior party leader and former MLA Anil Sole has filed his nomination as an independent candidate. Sole has made it clear that he will not withdraw his nomination.

The biggest talking point of the election is the contest between guru and disciple. Kohale has himself described Sole as his political guru. Kohale, who took guidance from Sole during his political career, is now in the fray against the same leader.

Sole's entry as an independent has created a challenge for the BJP within its own camp. The party leadership may find it a big task to bring the supporters of both leaders together.

On the other side, the Congress has fielded Abhijeet Wanjari. Wanjari won the Nagpur graduates' seat in the last election by defeating the BJP's Sandip Joshi. For this reason, his claim is considered strong this time too.

In the field now, therefore, are the BJP's official candidate Sudhakar Kohale on one side, and on the other the Congress's Abhijeet Wanjari and the BJP rebel Anil Sole.

Kohale's innings in the last Assembly election had also drawn attention. Kohale, who lives in South Nagpur, was fielded by the BJP from the West Nagpur Assembly seat but lost. Even so, the party has now placed its trust in him for the Nagpur graduates' constituency.

The contest for the Nagpur graduates' seat is no longer just BJP versus Congress. Kohale faces his own political guru Anil Sole as an independent, and the Congress's Abhijeet Wanjari is already a strong contender.

The biggest question now is whether the BJP's infighting will make Sudhakar Kohale's path difficult, or whether the party will placate its aggrieved camp and turn the contest in its favour.