Nagpur: BJP’s efforts to contain a rebellion over its candidate for Nagpur graduate constituency suffered a setback on Friday after former MLC Girish Vyas quit the party and backed former MLC Anil Sole, who has refused to withdraw his nomination.This is a major dissent within BJP in Nagpur, home to three party bigwigs, ahead of the graduate and teachers’ constituency elections, according to political observers. Several BJP functionaries, including members of its teachers’ organisations, have reportedly submitted resignations in support of Sole’s bid to reclaim the seat he won in 2014.Party sources said those backing Sole included a former two-time MLC, a senior journalist and two former mayors.Hundreds of BJP office-bearers and RSS volunteers attended the inauguration of Sole’s election office in Mahal at 5pm, two hours after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations ended, according to party sources.Sole told TOI that he would begin an intensive campaign over the weekend. “I will start visiting voters’ homes from Sunday. More people will join me in the coming days. I am confident of winning the seat once again, as I did in 2014,” he said.Vyas said his long association with Sole prompted him to stand by him despite the possible political cost. “We have worked together for the party for many years, participated in agitations and made sacrifices for it. Therefore, I am 100% behind my friend. Even if I have to hurt my own interests in the process, I am willing to accept that,” he said.Vyas argued that the party should have given greater consideration to Sole’s record in the Nagpur Graduates constituency, which he said had remained aligned with BJP’s ideology since the Jan Sangh era. Sole, he said, had contributed to environmental protection, education and party organisation and remained active in cultural and cooperative-sector activities.The former MLC added that he had not opposed BJP’s decision to field former mayor Sandeep Joshi in the previous election. “But if Joshi was not to be nominated this time, Sole should have been given the opportunity,” he said.As per Vyas, Sole had conveyed to party brass eight months ago that he was interested in contesting the poll, but it was not considered. He said the party needed to examine whether Sole’s contribution received due recognition.The rebellion now threatens to complicate the campaign for BJP candidate Sudhakar Kohale against Congress nominee Abhijit Wanjarri.
