Girish Vyas
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. I am confident of winning the seat once again, as I did in 2014,” he said. Therefore, I am 100% behind my friend.
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. 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. Vyas said his long association with Sole prompted him to stand by him despite the possible political cost. 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. “But if Joshi was not to be nominated this time, Sole should have been given the opportunity,” he said. He said the party needed to examine whether Sole’s contribution received due recognition.
“I will start visiting voters’ homes from Sunday. More people will join me in the coming days. “We have worked together for the party for many years, participated in agitations and made sacrifices for it. The former MLC added that he had not opposed BJP’s decision to field former mayor Sandeep Joshi in the previous election. 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.