MUMBAI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its first list of 99 candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, scheduled for November 20, 2024, marking a significant step in the party's preparations for the elections, as it aims to retain power in the state. The list includes several prominent leaders, with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis contesting from his traditional Nagpur South West seat and State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule contesting from Kamthi, a seat he previously held for a decade. 

In addition to Fadnavis and Bawankule, notable candidates on the list include Girish Mahajan from Jamner and Sudhir Mungantiwar from Ballarpur, state minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha from Malabar Hill and Rahul Suresh Narwekar the current speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from Colaba assembly constituency.

The BJP has made efforts to ensure diverse representation in its candidate list. Out of the 99 candidates, 13 are women, including Sreejaya Ashokrao Chavan, daughter of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan. The list also includes candidates from various communities, such as the Other Backward Class (OBC), Maratha, and Adivasi communities.

The party has strategically fielded candidates in key constituencies. For instance, Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar will contest from the Vandre West seat, while Nitesh Rane, son of Narayan Rane, will run from Kankavli. The inclusion of these candidates highlights the BJP's focus on retaining its strongholds and making inroads in crucial areas.

The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20. The last day for filing nominations is October 29. The elections are set to be a closely contested battle between the ruling Mahayuti alliance, led by the BJP, and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). So far the three main parties of MVA the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), the Congress party and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP -SP have not revealed their candidates as they continue already stretched seat-sharing negotiations.

The BJP's first list of candidates reflects its readiness to face the electoral challenge and its commitment to maintaining a strong presence in the state, and according to reports the party is likely to contest around 150-160 seats, while Shiv Sena will likely contest 75-85 seats, and the NCP will run in approximately 48-55 constituencies.