Maharashtra Assembly Election: BJP releases first list of 99 candidates for Maharashtra Assembly polls, Fadnavis to contest from Nagpur South West

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its first list of 99 candidates for the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. The list includes key leaders, highlighting the party’s strategy to secure a strong foothold in the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is set to contest from Nagpur South West, a seat he has represented for several terms. State BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule will contest from Kamthi, and Minister Girish Mahajan will run from Jamner. Additionally, Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has been fielded from Ballarpur.

In other significant nominations, Sreejaya Ashok Chavan will contest from Bhokar, while prominent Mumbai-based leaders such as Ashish Shelar will run from Vandre West, Mangal Prabhat Lodha from Malabar Hill, and Rahul Narwekar from Colaba.

Chhatrapati Shivendra Raje Bhosale, a member of the royal family, will contest from the Satara constituency, a key region in Maharashtra’s political landscape.

Nitesh Rane, son of senior party leader and Lok Sabha MP Narayan Rane, will contest from Kankavli, a seat he currently represents.

Former BJP state president Chandrakant Patil has been nominated to contest from Kothrud, and Sreejaya Chavan, daughter of former chief minister Ashok Chavan, will run from Bhokar.

This first list demonstrates the BJP’s emphasis on fielding experienced and high-profile candidates to strengthen its position for the upcoming elections. The Maharashtra Assembly elections are crucial for the party’s future in one of India’s most politically significant states.

The BJP aims to contest approximately 150 seats in Maharashtra, but is currently negotiating with its alliance partners, the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. These discussions are key to finalising seat-sharing arrangements, with all parties looking to maximize their influence in the state’s politically significant regions. 

The BJP’s strategy in Maharashtra is crucial for both the state elections and the broader national political landscape.

The announcement came two days after a meeting was held at Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence to discuss the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) strategy for the Maharashtra polls. Maharashtra has 288 Assembly seats, and the BJP is part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance alongside the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled to be held on November 20.