Nagpur: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has finally settled the suspense over its candidate for the Nagpur Division Graduates’ Constituency by fielding former MLA and senior leader Sudhakar Kohale. But the party’s decision has also triggered a political twist, with former MLC Anil Sole choosing to contest the election as an Independent after being denied the BJP ticket.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis formally handed over the BJP’s candidature to Kohale at Ramgiri on Sunday, in the presence of MLCs Dr Parinay Fuke and Dr Rajiv Potdar, Mayor Neeta Thakre, former MLC Sagar Meghe, MLA Sameer Meghe, former MLA Vikas Kumbhare and NMC Ruling Party Leader Balya Borkar, among others.
Kohale subsequently filed his nomination papers at the Divisional Commissioner’s office on Monday, turning the BJP’s much-awaited decision into an official electoral battle. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar, Ministers of State Dr Pankaj Bhoyar and Adv Ashish Jaiswal, MLC Krupal Tumane, former MP Ajay Sancheti and Rajya Sabha member Maya Iwanate were among those present during the filing.
Meanwhile, Congress candidate and sitting MLC Adv Abhijeet Wanjari also filed his nomination on Monday. Wanjari is seeking a second term after defeating BJP candidate Sandip Joshi in the 2020 election.
The entry of Sole as an Independent, however, has significantly altered the arithmetic of the contest. With his political experience and established support base among graduates, Sole’s candidature is expected to make the BJP-Congress contest a keen multi-cornered battle.
Adding to the field is Adv Raman Senad of Lok Jagruti Morcha, who is also contesting as an Independent and is scheduled to file his nomination on Monday. Senad, who describes himself as a highly qualified candidate, claims to have maintained contact with voters across all six districts of the constituency for several years and built a grassroots network.
The BJP’s choice of Kohale came after days of speculation within the party. Kohale, Sole and several other names were reportedly under consideration, while Senad had also expressed interest in the BJP nomination. The delay in finalising the candidate had attracted attention, particularly as Congress had announced Wanjari much earlier and he had already begun preparing his campaign.
Sole’s rebellion is therefore likely to be closely watched within BJP circles. His decision to remain in the race despite being denied the party ticket could potentially split votes and force the BJP to recalibrate its campaign strategy across the constituency.
The election schedule has added urgency to the contest. The notification for biennial elections to five Maharashtra Legislative Council seats was issued on September 29. Candidates can file nominations until October 6, followed by scrutiny on October 7. The deadline for withdrawal is October 9.
Polling in the Nagpur Division Graduates’ Constituency, along with the Aurangabad and Pune Graduates’ and Amravati and Pune Teachers’ constituencies, will be held on October 23 from 8 am to 4 pm. Counting of votes is scheduled for October 27.
The Nagpur Division Graduates’ Constituency spans six districts, Nagpur, Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, and the final electoral roll is expected to comprise more than 2.4 lakh voters.
With Kohale carrying the BJP banner, Wanjari defending his seat for Congress and Sole entering as an Independent, the election is shaping up as a test of party machinery, personal equations and voter mobilisation across Vidarbha’s six-district graduates’ constituency.
