BJP fields Sudhakar Kohale for Nagpur graduates' seat; ex-MLC Anil Sole to contest as rebel

The Bharatiya Janata Party has announced former MLA Sudhakar Kohale as its candidate for the Nagpur division graduates' constituency of the Legislative Council. The suspense over the candidature that had lasted for the past week is now over. Kohale's name came as expected.

Kohale had been made head of voter registration on the initiative of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and it had been assumed since then that he would get the ticket. But as soon as Kohale's name was officially announced, former MLA Anil Sole revolted. He announced on social media that he will contest independently.

Sole is also due to file his nomination on October 5. The revolt in the Nagpur BJP has added to the worries of the party's top leaders. Political circles are surprised that someone as hardworking and, until now, as loyal to the party as Sole could rebel.

Sole's revolt has worried Union Minister Nitin Gadkari as well as Chief Minister Fadnavis. Nagpur is the Chief Minister's home town and is regarded as Gadkari's stronghold. It is possibly the first time that a senior party leader has rebelled in this manner here.

Anil Sole was a member of the Legislative Council from this constituency in 2014. The seat had fallen vacant after Nitin Gadkari went to the Lok Sabha, and he was given the chance then. The party's worry is that if Sole files his nomination and stays in the contest, the official candidate Kohale could suffer heavily.

To keep the situation under control, senior BJP leaders have begun contacting Anil Sole to persuade him to change his stand. Pressure is also being put on him from within the party organisation not to file his papers, so that the split in votes can be prevented.

However, sources close to Anil Sole say he is firm on his decision and has made full preparations to enter the fray. This makes it likely that the contest will become even more interesting.