Rebel BJP candidate Anil Sole goes unreachable after filing papers in Nagpur graduates' poll

Prof. Anil Sole, a rebel BJP candidate in the Nagpur graduates' constituency election, has filed his nomination but has since become "not reachable". This has caused unease in the party. The party's official candidate, Sudhakar Kohle, and his supporters are also confused by Sole's stance.

The last date for withdrawing nominations is today, October 9. According to a reliable source in the party, Sole is set to withdraw his name. It has also been said that he has been asked to do so by the "Wada". If Sole, who has so far stood his ground, does withdraw, it will be a relief not only for Kohle but for the whole party, because those trying to persuade him have so far achieved nothing.

Sole had earlier raised an objection to the nomination papers of the official candidate, Kohle, and later withdrew that objection himself. This gave rise to the sense that he could withdraw his name at the last moment. Even so, party leaders' worries will not end until Sole withdraws his nomination.

Meanwhile, the BJP had put together a large team of leaders only three days ago. About 40 more leaders have now been given responsibilities by district in-charge and Assembly constituency. The party's election chief, MLA Praveen Datke, announced the names of 40 in-charges and co-in-charges on Thursday. Guardians have also been appointed separately for each district.

MLA Parinay Fuke is the guardian for Nagpur, while city president Dayashankar Tiwari has been made election chief. In South-West Nagpur, Sandeep Joshi and Ramesh Bhadari have been given the responsibility. In West Nagpur, Shrikant Aglawe, Sanjay Bangale, Aniruddha Palkar and Kishan Gawande are in charge. In Central Nagpur, Girish Puranik and Rambhau Ambulkar have been made in-charges. Mohan Mate and Yeven Dasture have been assigned to South Nagpur, Sandeep Jadhav and Milind Mane to North Nagpur, and Krishna Khopde and Pramod Pendke to East Nagpur.

Sole is also due to open his campaign office at Badkas Chowk on the evening of October 9. The office belongs to former BJP MLA Girish Vyas, who is considered close to the Sangh. It is near the residences of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and the graduates' election chief, MLA Praveen Datke. After Kohle was given the official candidature, it was thought that the party's other leaders would keep their distance from Sole, but Vyas gave him his office.

After the election was announced, Vyas and Sanjay Bhende had organised a felicitation programme for Sole, which Gadkari also attended. Several BJP office-bearers and workers are campaigning for Sole on social media. This could harm not only Kohle but the BJP as well.

A report is also going viral on social media that Sole will remain in the fray as a rebel candidate. A BJP core committee meeting was held at Gadkari's residence on Wednesday. It discussed an effort by Gadkari to persuade Sole to withdraw his nomination. During the meeting, an attempt was also made to reach Sole by phone, but he could not be contacted. After Thursday afternoon, reports began spreading on social media claiming that Sole would not withdraw his nomination.