In a strategic shift ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to retain 80 of its sitting MLAs in its first candidate list of 99 announced on Sunday. This marks a departure from the party’s previous tactics, particularly after a disappointing performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections, where it won only nine out of 28 contested seats.
State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule emphasized that “the sole criteria for giving a ticket is winnability.” He added that the decision-making process is collective, with a strict mechanism in place to assess each candidate’s prospects. Senior party leaders indicated that, unlike in Gujarat and Haryana—where significant numbers of incumbents were dropped—the Maharashtra strategy focuses on stability, particularly in a politically charged environment.
A BJP insider revealed that the party is keen to avoid unrest among its ranks, especially given the stronger opposition presence in Maharashtra. “We don’t want to promote rebels or Independents,” stated a senior Cabinet minister.
Despite retaining many MLAs, the party faced backlash from some aspirants left off the list. Reports suggest that several have approached Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, advocating for their candidacies. In a notable case, Narayan Rane’s son, Nitesh, is set to contest from Kankavli, while his brother Nilesh is likely to join the Shiv Sena after being denied a ticket.
The party also seems to be balancing familial ties; while some leaders cited a “one family, one ticket” norm, others noted exceptions like the Shelar brothers. In key constituencies such as Shrigonda and Chinchwad, candidate changes were made with the outgoing MLAs’ consent, indicating a careful approach to local sentiments.
Among the retained MLAs are prominent figures including Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, with the party aiming to project a united front as it heads into the elections. The BJP’s cautious strategy reflects its aim to consolidate support and enhance its electoral prospects in a competitive political landscape.
