Mumbai: In a significant move ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its first list of candidates, featuring a total of 99 individuals. This list includes 71 incumbent MLAs, reaffirming the party’s strategy to maintain a strong presence while also introducing new faces.
The announcement came on a Sunday, marking a crucial step as the BJP gears up for the elections scheduled for November 20, with results expected to be declared on November 23. The current assembly term will conclude on November 26, intensifying the urgency for parties to finalize their candidates.
Prominent figures on the list include Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who will contest from Nagpur South-West (52), and state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who has been fielded from Kamthi (58). The list reflects a blend of continuity and change, with several established leaders such as Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, Ministers Girish Mahajan, Sudhir Mungantiwar, and Chandrakant Patil also included.
Notably, the BJP has also granted tickets to newcomers, a strategy aimed at attracting fresh support and enhancing its appeal among younger voters. This approach aligns with the party’s broader electoral strategy, which seeks to balance experience with innovation.
The BJP’s strategic positioning in Maharashtra is underscored by an alliance agreement within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), where the party is expected to contest approximately 155 seats. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is anticipated to receive around 85 seats, while Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is projected to contest 45-50 seats.
The release of the candidate list is a significant indicator of the party’s preparedness and its intent to consolidate power in Maharashtra, a key state in Indian politics. By retaining established leaders and introducing new candidates, the BJP aims to present a united front to voters.
Voters will now have the opportunity to choose from a diverse slate of candidates, each bringing their own experiences and visions for the state. The party’s choices suggest a focus on regions where it has historically performed well, as well as efforts to penetrate new demographics and constituencies.
The first list of BJP candidates includes:
1. Devendra Fadnavis – Nagpur South-West (52)
2. Chandrashekhar Bawankule – Kamthi (58)
3. Rajesh Udesingh Padvi – Shahada (ST) (2)
4. Vijaykumar Krishnarao Gavit – Nandurbar (ST) (3)
5. Anup Agrawal – Dhule City (5)
6. Jaykumar Jitendrasinh Rawal – Sindkheda (8)
7. Kashiram Wechan Pawara – Shirpur (ST) (7)
8. Amol Jawale – Raver (11)
9. Sanjay Vaman Sawkare – Bhusawal (SC) (39)
10. Suresh Damu Bhole – Jalgaon City (13)
11. Mangesh Ramesh Chavan – Chalisgaon (17)
12. Girish Dattatray Mahajan – Jamner (19)
13. Shweta Vidyadhar Mahale – Chikhali (23)
14. Akash Pandurang Fundkar – Khamgaon (26)
15. Sanjay Shriram Kute – Jalgaon (Jamod) (27)
16. Randhir Pralhadrao Savarkar – Akola East (31)
17. Pratap Janardan Adsad – Dhamangaon Railway (36)
18. Pravin Tayde – Achalpur (42)
19. Rajesh Bakane – Deoli (45)
20. Sameer Trimbakarav Kunwar – Hinganghat (46)
21. Pankaj Rajesh Bhoyer – Wardha (47)
22. Sameer Dattatray Meghe – Hingna (50)
23. Mohan Gopalrao Mate – Nagpur South (23)
24. Krishna Pancham Khopde – Nagpur East (24)
25. Vijay Bhartlal Rahangdale – Tiroda (64)
26. Vinod Agrawal – Gondia (65)
27. Sanjay Hanwant Puram – Amgaon (ST) (66)
28. Krishna Damaji Gajbe – Armori (ST) (67)
29. Sudhir Sachchidanand Mungantiwar – Ballarpur (72)
30. Bunty Bhangdiya – Chimur (74)
31. Sanjeevareddi Bapuraw Bodkurwar – Wani (76)
32. Dr. Ashok Ramaji Uike – Ralegaon (77)
33. Madan Madhukarrao Yerawar – Yavatmal (78)
34. Bhima Rao Ramji Keram – Kinwat (83)
35. Srijaya Ashok Chavan – Bhoker (85)
36. Rajesh Sambhaji Pawar – Naygaon (89)
37. Tushar Rathod – Mukhed (91)
38. Tanaji Mutkule – Hingoli (94)
39. Meghna Bordikar – Jintur (95)
40. Babanrao Lonikar – Paratpur (99)
41. Narayana Kuche – Badnapur (SC) (102)
42. Santosh Ravasahab Danve – Bhokardan (103)
43. Anuradha Tai Atul Chavan – Phulambri (109)
44. Atul Save – Aurangabad East (109)
45. Prashant Bamb – Gangapur (111)
46. Dilip Mangalu Borse – Baglan (ST) (116)
47. Dr. Rahul Daulat Rao Aher – Chandwad (118)
48. Advocate Rahul Uttamrao Dhikle – Nashik East (123)
49. Seema Mahesh Hiray – Nashik West (125)
50. Rajan Naik – Nalasopara (132)
51. Mahesh Prabhakar Choughule – Bhiwandi West (136)
52. Kisan Shankar Kathore – Murbad (139)
53. Sulabha Kalu Gaikwad – Kalyan East (142)
54. Ravindra Dattatray Chavan – Dombivli (143)
55. Sanjay Mukund Kelkar – Thane (148)
56. Ganesh Naik – Airoli (150)
57. Manda Vijay Mhatre – Belapur (151)
58. Manisha Ashok Chaudhary – Dahisar (154)
59. Mihir Kotecha – Mulund (155)
60. Atul Bhatkhalkar – Kandivali East (160)
61. Yogesh Sagar – Charni Road (161)
62. Vinod Shelare – Malad West (162)
63. Vidya Jayprakash Thakur – Goregaon (163)
64. Amit Satam – Andheri West (165)
65. Parag Alvani – Vile Parle (167)
66. Ram Kadam – Ghatkopar West (169)
67. Advocate Ashish Shelar – Bandra West (177)
68. Captain R. Tamil Selvan – Sion Koliwada (179)
69. Kalidas Neelkanth Kolambkar – Wadala (180)
70. Mangal Prabhat Lodha – Malabar Hill (185)
71. Advocate Rahul Suresh Narvekar – Kulaba (187)
72. Prashant Thakur – Panvel (188)
73. Mahesh Baldi – Uran (190)
74. Advocate Rahul Subhashrao Kul – Daund (199)
75. Shankar Jagatap – Chinchwad (205)
76. Mahesh (Dada) Kisan Landge – Bhosari (207)
77. Siddharth Shirole – Shivajinagar (209)
78. Chandrakant Dada Patil – Kothrud (210)
79. Madhuri Satish Misal – Parvati (212)
80. Radhakrishna Eknath Vikhye Patil – Shirdi (218)
81. Monika Rajiv Rajle – Shevgaon (222)
82. Shivajirav Bhanudas Kardile – Rahuri (223)
83. Pratibha Patil – Shrigaon (226)
84. Chandrakant Ramchandra Jadhav – Solapur City Central (249)
85. Ravindra Dhande – Kasba Peth (252)
86. Sunil Kamath – Pune Cantonment (SC) (254)
87. Lakshman Jagtap – Pune City (255)
88. Nitin Bhimrao Sukhdeve – Parli (256)
89. Siddharth Keshav Choudhary – Sillod (261)
90. Vikas Rajaram Jadhav – Sangli (267)
91. Ranjit Ramdas Gawai – Nashik (273)
92. Ajay Gopinath Chavan – Nandgaon (274)
93. Manohar Ramrao Dhanawade – Devlali (275)
94. Ashok Bhikaji Pawar – Akole (276)
95. Nilesh Balaji Jadhav – Jawhar (ST) (277)
96. Anil Ramchandra Bhalerao – Palghar (279)
97. Dhananjay Laxman Pawar – Vasai (280)
98. Prakash Sitaram Rane – Ratnagiri (283)
99. Vikram Parshuram Gawde – Radhanagari (284)
This list reflects a mix of seasoned politicians and new candidates aiming to strengthen the BJP’s foothold in Maharashtra.
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