BJP Candidate List 2024: Maharashtra Assembly Elections
BJP Announces First List of 99 Candidates for Maharashtra Assembly Elections
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its first list of 99 candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. This move marks a significant step in the party's preparations for the polls, which are scheduled to take place on November 20, 2024. The counting of votes will be held on November 23, 2024.
Among the prominent candidates named in the list is Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who will contest from his traditional seat of Nagpur South West. This decision has been widely anticipated as Fadnavis has been a key figure in Maharashtra politics for several years.
Another notable candidate is Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the state BJP chief, who has been fielded from Kamthi. This move underscores the party's strategy to strengthen its base in various regions of Maharashtra.
The list also includes several other prominent leaders such as Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar, who will contest from Vandre West; Nitesh Rane, son of senior party leader and Lok Sabha MP Narayan Rane, who will contest from Kankavli; and Sreejaya Ashok Chavan, daughter of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who will contest from Bhokar.
Sreejaya Chavan's inclusion in the list is particularly noteworthy as she is the daughter of a former Chief Minister who recently joined the BJP from the Congress party. This move reflects the BJP's efforts to attract prominent figures from other political parties.
The BJP is aiming to contest around 150 seats in the state but is involved in tough bargaining with its allies, including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar-led NCP. The Mahayuti alliance is seeking to retain power in Maharashtra, a challenge it faces from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition comprising the Congress-NCP-Shiv SenaUBT.
In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance won 161 seats (BJP 105, Shiv Sena 56). However, despite their pre-poll alliance, Shiv Sena demanded a rotational Chief Minister arrangement, which the BJP refused, leading to a fallout between the two parties. This deadlock triggered a political crisis that eventually led to the formation of the MVA coalition under Uddhav Thackeray.
The MVA ruled Maharashtra until mid-2022 when internal conflicts triggered by Eknath Shindes rebellion led to its downfall. The current political landscape in Maharashtra is thus set for another intense battle between the Mahayuti alliance and the MVA coalition.
Key Figures in BJP's Candidate List
1. **Devendra Fadnavis**: The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra will contest from Nagpur South West, a seat he has traditionally held. Fadnavis has been a crucial figure in Maharashtra politics and his inclusion in the list is significant.
2. **Chandrashekhar Bawankule**: The state BJP chief has been fielded from Kamthi. Bawankules inclusion reflects the partys strategy to strengthen its base in various regions of Maharashtra.
3. **Ashish Shelar**: The Mumbai BJP president will contest from Vandre West. Shelars experience in Mumbai politics makes him a strong candidate for this seat.
4. **Nitesh Rane**: Son of senior party leader and Lok Sabha MP Narayan Rane, Nitesh will contest from Kankavli, a seat he currently represents in the assembly.
5. **Sreejaya Ashok Chavan**: Daughter of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, Sreejaya will contest from Bhokar. Her inclusion in the list highlights the BJPs efforts to attract prominent figures from other political parties.
BJPs Strategy and Alliances
The BJP is keen to retain power in Maharashtra along with its allies, including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar-led NCP. However, the party is involved in tough bargaining with these allies regarding seat-sharing.
The Mahayuti alliance is facing a challenge from the MVA coalition comprising the Congress-NCP-Shiv SenaUBT. The opposition MVA alliance won 31 of the 48 seats in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha elections.
The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is looking to contest around 150 seats in the state but needs to finalize its seat-sharing arrangements with its allies. This process is ongoing and is expected to be completed soon.
The BJPs strategy involves fielding strong candidates across various regions of Maharashtra. The party aims to capitalize on its existing support base while also expanding its reach to new areas.
The election to the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly will be held in a single phase on November 20, 2024. The counting of votes will be held on November 23, 2024.
Historical Context: 2019 Maharashtra Assembly Elections
In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance won 161 seats (BJP 105, Shiv Sena 56). However, despite their pre-poll alliance, Shiv Sena demanded a rotational Chief Minister arrangement which the BJP refused leading to a fallout between the two parties.
This deadlock triggered a political crisis that eventually led to the formation of the MVA coalition under Uddhav Thackeray. The MVA ruled Maharashtra until mid-2022 when internal conflicts triggered by Eknath Shindes rebellion led to its downfall.
The current political landscape in Maharashtra is thus set for another intense battle between the Mahayuti alliance and the MVA coalition.
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