Published On : Mon, Jul 24th, 2017

Is BJP mulling Sudhakar Kohle’s exit as city unit president

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Kohle datke and mate
Nagpur: Political parleys across Nagpur are flooding with the whispers that BJP city unit president and South Nagpur MLA Sudhakar Kohle would soon be replaced with some other known face to serve the post of party’s city chief. Insiders claim that Kohle is being shuffled in view of upcoming elections. The names of former MLA Mohan Mate and former mayor Praveen Datke are being reportedly considered to serve the post, sources told Nagpur Today.

It may be mentioned that for quite some time the party high command was not happy with the way Kohle was functioning. This was directly affecting the party’s image. Senior BJP leaders were reportedly worried that this might reflect in the results of upcoming elections, and hence it took the safe route to hunt for another credible face to serve at the post of BJP Nagpur President.

Insiders said that Kohle’s removal would be just one of the many steps that party is planning to take, keeping in view the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and assembly elections in state. The party wanted the government machinery to exercise restraint on doing anything that goes against the public interest post 2018, the year from when BJP is set to jump into poll preparation.

Sources said bringing other clean face in place of Kohle is just a part and parcel of the big process. Former MLA Mohan Mate and ex-Mayor Praveet Datke are said to be leading the fray as both belong to OBC category.

Datke carries his clean image and many leaders are pushing for him. On the other hand, in order to make the poll prospects greener, Mate’s name is also being put up promptly.

However a section of partymen believe that those who are not preferred choice for candidature in elections are safely assigned the responsibility of handling party’s affairs. Both Datke and Mate have been lobbying for election tickets since last elections. While Datke is reportedly interested in contesting state assembly polls from Central Nagpur, Mate has been throwing his might for party ticket from South Nagpur.

Meanwhile, sources said that BJP has also decided to show the door to 4 sitting MLAs in Nagpur district in the ensuing elections and is considering some more appealing youth faces for contesting the next polls.

Sources claimed that if both Datke and Mate would be assured tickets, then any of the two would not be taken in as replacement for Kohle. “Under such scheme of things Kohle would be either made to continue serving the post or the party would need to arrange for alternative face,” added the source.

– RAJEEV RANJAN KUSHWAHA