Nagpur: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday visited senior BJP functionary Anil Sole’s Laxmi Nagar residence and persuaded him to withdraw his rebel candidacy against the party’s official nominee, Sudhakar Kohale, in the Nagpur graduates’ constituency election.In a deft move to douse rebel fire, the chief minister assured Sole the party would address his concerns, while also announcing that former MLC Girish Vyas had withdrawn his resignation from the party’s primary membership.Sole, a former MLC from the graduates’ constituency, filed his nomination against Kohale and remained firm despite efforts by party leaders to persuade him to withdraw. The rebellion exposed a rare discontent over the candidate selection process and the alleged sidelining of senior party workers.Announcing his withdrawal from the contest, Sole said he would support Kohale and work for the party’s victory. Although his name would remain on the ballot, he said he would campaign to ensure he did not receive a single vote.Describing Sole as a senior leader who contributed to building BJP in Nagpur over the years, Fadnavis said his grievances were not directed at the party, but at the way decisions were taken. Sole had argued that leaders and workers associated with the constituency should be consulted before selecting candidates and experienced workers without organisational responsibilities should be brought into the mainstream.“His displeasure was not with the party, but with the decision-making process,” Fadnavis said, adding the party had agreed to make changes in its functioning. Decisions should be taken after consulting as many people as possible, he said, adding senior workers who served in the organisation for years would be considered for responsibilities.Fadnavis said Sole had never taken an anti-party stand in the past and had often helped persuade disgruntled colleagues to remain with the organisation. The CM expressed satisfaction the dispute had ended amicably and said the leadership was determined to strengthen the organisation by taking all workers along.Sole became emotional during the meeting and said he had worked for the party’s expansion for years. “The chief minister himself came to persuade me and asked me to support BJP,” he said. He added senior leaders, including Union minister Nitin Gadkari, had urged him to meet Fadnavis and resolve the dispute. Sole also acknowledged the role played by BJP organisational secretary Satish Dhond and said the visit by Dhond and revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule was important for him.Fadnavis acknowledged that BJP’s previous defeat in the graduates’ constituency had been disappointing and said the party would work collectively to overcome it. Vyas, who had resigned from the party’s primary membership in support of Sole’s objections, also withdrew his resignation.Bawankule, MLA Sanjay Kute and Upendra Kothekar were among those present during the meeting.
