Nagpur: The political drama within BJP’s Nagpur unit over Graduates Constituency poll nomination is far from over even as the party has picked former MLA Sudhakar Kohale. The “snubbed” poll aspirant, Anil Sole, has decided to shed the “party discipline” cloak and enter the fray as an independent.While BJP has seen its share of rebels, the fact that this time it was Sole has shocked many since he always toed the party line and political aggression has never been his forte.Speaking to TOI, Sole minced no words and was candid about his decision. “I will file my nomination on Monday at 1.30pm. For the past few months I had made this very clear to the party and discussion was underway. Now that they have chosen someone else, my supporters pressured me to go solo. I have to listen to them; I can’t let them down,” said Sole.On whether his decision came as a surprise to the party brass in the city, Sole said, “I informed both CM Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari that I am going to file my nomination. So, this announcement is not a surprise to them and my supporters.”If Sole goes ahead with his decision and does not withdraw later, the entire electoral equation changes. Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is collectively backing sitting MLC Abhijit Wanjarri, while its competitor Mahayuti now faces trouble on the home front with chances of votes being split in two.Sole said his decision won’t have an adverse impact on Mahayuti. “If I contest the polls, then I will win. And everyone knows which party I support, so there is no question of the opposition side getting any benefit,” said Sole.But the rebellion was a departure from the image Sole has cultivated over decades in the city’s political landscape. “It is just that my supporters have been working hard on the ground for months; they have some expectations and I have to respect that,” said Sole, who was also the city’s mayor before being elected as an MLC from Nagpur Graduates constituency in 2014.Some senior BJP members feel that this is part of pressure tactics by Sole, who can use his withdrawal from the race as leverage for another role in the party.
