Maharashtra | BJP's first list of 99 candidates out; Fadnavis fielded from Nagpur South West

The BJP on Sunday (October 20) released its first list of 99 candidates for the election to the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, fielding Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis from his traditional Nagpur South West seat.

The list also includes the names of Mumbai BJP president Ashish Selar, fielded from the Vandre West seat, and senior party leader and Lok Sabha MP Narayan Rane's son Nitesh Rane, fielded from Kankavli, a seat he currently represents in the state Assembly. 

The party has fielded Rural Development Minister Girish Mahajan from Jamner seat, Culture Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar from Ballarpur, Tourism Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha from Malabar Hill, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar from Colaba, and Chhatrapati Shivendra Raje Bhosale from Satara.

The BJP has also fielded its Maharashtra unit chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule from Kamthi, former state president Chandrakant Patil from Kothrud and former chief minister Ashok Chavan's daughter Sreejaya Chavan from Bhokar. 

The announcement comes after a crucial meeting on seat-sharing arrangement of the Mahayuti alliance was held at Union Home Minister Amit Shah's residence on Friday. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his deputies Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar attended the meeting.

The BJP, which currently has 105 MLAs, is expected to retain its dominant position in the alliance by contesting 150-155 seats, the maximum among the Mahayuti alliance partners, followed by Shiv Sena (Shinde) with 85-90 seats and Ajit Pawar-led NCP with 45-50 seats out of the total 288 Assembly seats.

On the other hand, the Opposition MVA has reached an agreement on 260 seats, while the issue of remaining 28 seats is yet to be resolved.

The election to the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly will be held in a single phase on November 20. The counting of votes will be held on November 23.

(With agency inputs)