Archive · 10 Oct 2026
BJP Dissent Complicates Maharashtra Council Election Preparations
Maharashtra will hold elections for five seats on its Legislative Council on October 23.
Political parties have chosen candidates, but some party members are running against their own party’s preferred candidates.
In Nagpur, former BJP member Anil Sole is running against the BJP’s chosen candidate, Sudhakar Kohale.
In Amravati, some candidates from the ruling alliance’s parties have also stayed in the race.
The ruling alliance managed to get some candidates to withdraw, including in the Pune Teachers’ contest.
Opposition parties are also running separate candidates in Aurangabad, which could divide their voters.
The article says disagreements about candidate choices and local support are contributing to the challenges.
The results will depend on how voters choose among the candidates.
Elections for five Maharashtra Legislative Council constituencies are scheduled for October 23.
The nomination-withdrawal deadline passed on October 9, leaving several contests shaped by candidate disputes.
In Nagpur Graduates, former BJP MLC Anil Sole remains in the race against BJP nominee Sudhakar Kohale and Congress candidate Abhijeet Wanjari.
In Amravati Teachers, official Mahayuti nominee Kiran Sarnaik faces candidates including Shiv Sena member Shrikant Deshpande and BJP rebels Sangeeta Shinde and Chandrashekhar Bhoyar.
Opposition candidates are divided in Aurangabad Graduates, while the Pune constituencies have contests involving official alliance nominees and opposition candidates.
- Who
- Candidates from the ruling Mahayuti alliance and opposition parties, including BJP and Shiv Sena rebels.
- What
- Elections for three Graduates’ constituencies and two Teachers’ constituencies, with internal dissent and competing nominations.
- When
- October 23; the nomination-withdrawal deadline was October 9.
- Where
- Maharashtra, in the Pune, Aurangabad, Nagpur and Amravati constituencies.
- Why
- Disputes over candidate selection and ticket distribution, along with competing party and rebel nominations, have complicated campaign preparations.
Official party nominees
Rebels and competing candidates
Nagpur BJP candidate selection
Official party nominees
The BJP nominated former MLA Sudhakar Kohale for the Nagpur Graduates’ constituency.
Rebels and competing candidates
Former BJP MLC Anil Sole refused to withdraw. A BJP insider said Sole had been a strong contender for the ticket but was passed over.
Amravati Teachers’ contest
Official party nominees
The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena put forward sitting MLC Kiran Sarnaik as the Mahayuti’s official candidate.
Rebels and competing candidates
Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Deshpande and BJP rebels Sangeeta Shinde and Chandrashekhar Bhoyar remained in the contest.
Aurangabad opposition vote
Official party nominees
The NCP (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP each have a candidate in the Graduates’ constituency.
Rebels and competing candidates
The article says the division of opposition candidates could split votes; it also reports that BJP figures Prashant Bamb and Sanjay Kenekar oppose NCP candidate Satish Chavan.
- Election date
- October 23
- Withdrawal deadline
- October 9
- Constituencies
- Three Graduates’ constituencies and two Teachers’ constituencies
- Pune Teachers’ official Mahayuti nominee
- BJP candidate Kaustubh Gawde
- Nagpur Graduates’ BJP nominee
- Sudhakar Kohale
- Nagpur rebel candidate
- Former BJP MLC Professor Anil Sole
- Amravati Teachers’ official Mahayuti nominee
- Sitting MLC Kiran Sarnaik