BJP releases first list of 99 candidates for Maharashtra Assembly, Fadnavis to contest from Nagpur

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unveiled its first list of 99 candidates on Sunday for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly election 2024, aiming to secure a majority in the 288-member assembly.

Key Candidates Named

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will contest from his traditional seat, Nagpur South West. The list also features Mumbai BJP president Ashish Selar, who will run from the Vandre West seat, and Nitesh Rane, the son of senior party leader and Lok Sabha MP Narayan Rane, who will contest from Kankavli, a seat he currently holds.

Additionally, the BJP has nominated its Maharashtra president, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, from Kamthi; former state president Chandrakant Patil from Kothrud; and Sreejaya Chavan, daughter of former chief minister Ashok Chavan, from Bhokar.

Bargaining with Allies

The BJP plans to contest around 150 seats in Maharashtra but is currently engaged in intense negotiations with its allies, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar-led NCP. 

PTI