BJP Announces First List of Candidates for Maharashtra Assembly Elections

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled its initial list of 99 candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections scheduled for November 20. The announcement, made after a crucial meeting at Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence, sets the stage for a highly competitive electoral battle. Prominent names in the list include Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who will contest from Nagpur South West, and Maharashtra BJP President Chandrashekhar Krishnarao Bawankule, who will be running from the Kamthi constituency.

The announcement follows extensive discussions within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on strategies for the election. Maharashtra, with 288 Assembly seats, will witness a significant political showdown, with the BJP forming part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance along with the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The BJP’s move to reveal its first list signals the party’s determination to secure a majority in the state, where it faces stiff competition from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and the Indian National Congress.

Finalizing Seat Sharing and Strategy

The Mahayuti alliance’s seat-sharing discussions are nearing completion, according to Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. As per initial indications, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction is expected to contest approximately 85-90 seats, while Ajit Pawar’s NCP could secure around 50 constituencies. The BJP is likely to contest the remaining seats, giving it a considerable share in the assembly race. Chief Minister Shinde confirmed that talks are in their final phase, ensuring that the alliance partners are on the same page as they gear up for the polls.

The Mahayuti’s strategic coordination aims to counter the formidable challenge posed by the MVA, which performed well in recent parliamentary elections, winning 30 of Maharashtra’s 48 seats. The BJP, in contrast, saw its seat tally drop from 23 to just 9. With this backdrop, the upcoming assembly elections represent a critical opportunity for the BJP and its allies to regain their standing in Maharashtra’s political landscape. The counting of votes will take place on November 23, just three days after the state goes to the polls.

Key Candidates and Constituencies

The BJP’s first list features several high-profile candidates with strong electoral records. Among them, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will contest from Nagpur South West, a constituency he has represented successfully in previous elections. Similarly, state BJP President Chandrashekhar Krishnarao Bawankule will be running from Kamthi, expressing his gratitude to the party leadership for the nomination and vowing to secure a victory for the BJP in the constituency. Bawankule acknowledged the support of senior party figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP National President JP Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis.

Other notable figures in the BJP’s list include Minister Girish Mahajan, who will contest from Jamner, and Sudhir Mungantiwar, who will stand from Ballarpur. Both are seasoned politicians with considerable influence in their respective regions. Another significant inclusion is Chhatrapati Shivendra Raje Bhosale, a member of the erstwhile royal family of Satara, who will contest from Satara. The BJP’s list reflects a blend of experienced leaders and new candidates aimed at broadening the party’s appeal across different voter segments.

In Mumbai, Ashish Shelar, the city’s BJP president, has been selected as the candidate for Vandre West. Shelar, a two-time winner from the constituency, is confident of repeating his success, attributing it to strong support from party workers and local constituents. Sreejaya Ashok Chavan, daughter-in-law of senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan, will contest from Bhokar, marking her first foray into electoral politics with the BJP.

Celebrations and Reactions

Following the announcement, celebrations erupted among BJP supporters, particularly at the residences of several candidates. Sanjay Mukund Kelkar, contesting from Thane for the third time, expressed his gratitude towards the party’s top leadership and highlighted his commitment to serving the constituency. Similarly, Krishna Pancham Khopade, selected for the Nagpur East Assembly seat for the fourth time, shared his optimism about the BJP’s prospects in the constituency.

The inclusion of familiar faces like Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis and state BJP President Bawankule signals the party’s intent to rely on trusted leaders who have previously delivered electoral victories. At the same time, newer entrants such as Sreejaya Chavan indicate a strategy to attract fresh support and possibly sway voters disillusioned with the opposition parties.

Additional Notable Candidates and Constituencies

The BJP’s list extends to several other significant constituencies and includes both veteran leaders and first-time candidates. Mangal Prabhat Lodha will contest from Malabar Hill, Rahul Narwekar from Colaba, and Atul Save from Aurangabad East. Additionally, Madhuri Misal has been nominated for the Parvati constituency for the fourth time, while Manda Vijay Mhatre will contest from Belapur for the third time, reflecting the party’s trust in experienced legislators.

In Jalgaon, Suresh Damu Bhole has been chosen to contest from the Jalgaon City constituency. Bhole expressed his gratitude to the BJP leadership for the opportunity, emphasizing his commitment to serving the people based on the party’s principles of service and dedication. These candidacies reflect the BJP’s focus on consolidating its support across diverse regions in Maharashtra.

The Road Ahead

With the announcement of its first list of candidates, the BJP has taken a significant step toward setting the tone for the Maharashtra assembly elections. The focus now shifts to finalizing the Mahayuti’s seat-sharing arrangements and mobilizing party workers across the state. As the election date approaches, both the BJP-led alliance and the MVA will intensify their campaigns, making Maharashtra a battleground for competing visions of governance and development.

The BJP’s candidate selection aims to strike a balance between loyalty and electability, ensuring the party is well-prepared to face the MVA’s challenge. As the campaign unfolds, issues such as regional development, economic policies, and law and order will likely dominate the political discourse, with both alliances vying for the support of Maharashtra’s diverse electorate.