BJP Unveils First List for Maharashtra Assembly Elections

BJP released its initial list of 99 candidates for the Maharashtra assembly election, fielding key leaders including Devendra Fadnavis and Ashish Selar. The party plans to contest around 150 seats and is negotiating alliances with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's NCP.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced its first list of 99 candidates for the upcoming election to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly on Sunday. The list features prominent members, with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis contesting from his stronghold Nagpur South West seat.

Other notable names include Mumbai BJP president Ashish Selar, running from Vandre West, and Nitesh Rane, son of senior party leader Narayan Rane, seeking reelection from Kankavli. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule is contesting from Kamthi, while former state president Chandrakant Patil is fielded from Kothrud.

The BJP is eyeing around 150 seats but is currently negotiating seat-sharing arrangements with its political allies, including Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP, to present a unified front in the elections.

(With inputs from agencies.)