Retired GST commissioner Sanjay Thool files as independent for Nagpur graduates' seat

Retired GST commissioner Sanjay Thool has entered the contest for the Nagpur Division Graduates' Constituency in the Legislative Council election. Thool filed his nomination today as an independent candidate.

Thool said that many people have been MLCs from the graduates' constituency so far, but none of them did the work that was needed for young people. According to him, the MLC from this constituency should not only be highly educated but should also work for young people.

Thool and workers of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) had prepared a rally to file the nomination, with Thool as the party's probable candidate. But at the last moment the BSP did not give Thool the AB form and cited a technical reason. At the last minute, Thool, a retired IRS officer, filed his papers as an independent, keeping his intention to contest from the Nagpur Division Graduates' Constituency.

Thool also alleged that both the BJP and the Congress have so far disillusioned young people. He had sought the BSP's candidature, and the party had also asked him to prepare. As the AB form did not come at the last moment, he filed his nomination as an independent.

The BJP has fielded Sudhakar Kohale on this seat, and he faces Abhijit Wanjari of the Congress. The BJP has made big arrangements to win this prestigious constituency. Many party leaders wanted to contest, but the BJP placed its trust in Kohale, a teacher by profession who has remained loyal to the party.

The schedule for the Legislative Council election is as follows. The notification was issued on September 29, 2026. The last date for filing nominations is October 6, 2026. Nominations will be scrutinised on October 7, 2026, and the last date for withdrawal is October 9, 2026.

Voting will take place on October 23, 2026, from 8 am to 4 pm. Counting and results will follow on October 27, 2026.