The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday (October 26, 2024) released its second list of candidates for the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The elections to the 288-member Assembly are scheduled for November 20, with vote counting scheduled three days later.
Approved by the party’s Central Election Committee, the list includes nominees for 22 constituencies, including Ram Bhadane from Dhule Rural constituency and Chainsukh Madanlal Sancheti from Malkapur. Vijay Kamalkishor Agrawal has been selected for the Akola West seat, and Shyam Ramcharanji Khode for Washim (SC).
Kewalram Tulshiram Kale has been nominated to contest from Melghat (ST), Dr. Milind Ramji Narote from Gadchiroli (ST) and Deorao Vithoba Bhongle from Rajura. In Brahmapuri, Krishnalal Bajirao Sahare is pitted against Congress’s Vijay Wadettiwar.
Devayani Suhas Pharande has been fielded from Nashik Central and Harischandra Sakharam Bhoye from Vikramgad (ST).
Kumar Uttamchand Ailani is the nominee from Ulhasnagar, Ravindra Dagdu Patil from Pen, Bhimrao Tapkir from Khadakwasala and Sunil Dnyandev Kamble from Pune Cantonment (SC).
In Pune’s Kasba Peth, the BJP has fielded Hemant Narayan Rasane, while Ramesh Kashiram Karad will contest from Latur Rural.
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Dheeraj Rajesh Kothe is the candidate from Solapur City Central constituency, Samadhan Mahadev Autade from Pandharpur, Satyajit Deshmukh from Shirala and Gopichand Kundalik Padalkar from Jat.
The party has also nominated Karan Deotale from Warora and Prakash Gunvanth Rao Bharsakala from Akot.
The BJP leaders have expressed confidence in the party candidates’ ability to resonate with voters across constituencies. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Saturday said discussions were on among the three constituents of the ruling Mahayuti alliance over the allocation of seven to eight seats.
“Negotiations are still in progress regarding seven to eight seats. We’re working together as a family—considering everyone, including the elder and younger brothers,” he said.
Mr. Bawankule criticised the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi’s proposal for all three allies to contest from 90 seats each. He said, “We heard that Rahul Gandhi has removed State leaders for mishandling seat-sharing discussions.” He said that the MVA lacked a development agenda.
“The opposition is focused on who will be the Chief Minister and who will receive ministerial positions, rather than presenting a vision for development. The MVA’s misleading narrative that worked in this year’s Lok Sabha elections will not succeed now,” he said.
Mr. Bawankule also said that Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray’s aspirations of becoming the Chief Minister again are unlikely to materialise due to a lack of support from his allies.
Published - October 26, 2024 06:02 pm IST
