In Pics: Big Names, Debutants And Dynasts In BJP's First Candidate List For Maharashtra Polls

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday unveiled its first list of 99 candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, scheduled for November 20. Among the prominent names, 10 ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, have been renominated, reflecting the party's strategy of continuity to avoid internal disputes and rebellion ahead of the crucial polls.

The BJP has retained 71 MLAs in the first list including state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar, ministers Girish Mahajan, Sudhir Mungantiwar, and Chandrakant Patil, among the prominent faces. 

Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar, former BJP minister and grandson of ex-chief minister Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar, has been renominated from Nilanga in Latur district. 

The party has also introduced fresh candidates, including Rahul Awade, son of former minister Prakash Awade, who will contest from Ichalkaranji. Other new faces include Amar Mahadik (Kolhapur South), Shivajirao Kardile (Rahuri), and Shankar Jagtap (Chinchwad), who replaced sitting legislator Ashwini Jagtap.

Amal Mahadik, the younger brother of BJP Rajya Sabha member Dhananjay Mahadik, is another political dynasty member who has secured the ticket. He will attempt to reclaim the Kolhapur South assembly constituency that he won in 2014.   

Of the 99 candidates, 13 are women, including Shweta Mahale (Chikhali), Shrijaya Ashok Chavan (Bhoyar), Meghana Bordikar (Jintur), and Sulabha Gaikwad (Kalyan East). Notably, Shrijaya Chavan, Sulabha Gaikwad, and Pratibha Pachpute (Shrigonda) are among the new faces fielded by the party, while others have been renominated to maintain their stronghold.

Sudhir Mungantiwar: Minister, renominated from Ballarpur despite losing the Lok Sabha election from Chandrapur.

Key ministers such as Vijaykumar Gavit (Nandurbar), Girish Mahajan (Jamner), Sudhir Mungantiwar (Ballarpur), and Mangal Prabhat Lodha (Malabar Hill) have also secured renomination. Chandrakant Patil (Kothrud), Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil (Shirdi), and Ravindra Chavan (Dombivali) are among the other ministers fielded by the party.