Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis held a meeting at senior BJP functionary Anil Sole’s Laxmi Nagar residence on Monday
Announcing his withdrawal from the contest, Sole said he would support Kohale and work for the party’s victory. he said he would campaign to ensure he did not receive a single vote Although his name would remain on the ballot. 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. “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. 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. 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.
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chief minister assured Sole the party would address his concerns, while also announcing that former MLC Girish Vyas had withdrawn his resignation from the party’s primary membership.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 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. He added senior leaders, including Union minister Nitin Gadkari , had urged him to meet Fadnavis and resolve the dispute. Vyas, who had resigned from the party’s primary membership in support of Sole’s objections, also withdrew his resignation.
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.