Maharashtra Assembly Elections: BJP Releases Third List of Candidates, Names Former Fadnavis Aide for Arvi Seat

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released its third list, announcing the names of another 25 candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Elections. Among the new names announced is Sumit Wankhede, former PA to Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has been chosen to contest from the Arvi constituency.

With this latest list, the BJP has now declared candidates for 146 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra assembly. The BJP has re-nominated sitting MLAs Bharti Lavekar from Versova and Parag Shah from Ghatkopar East, quelling earlier speculations that the duo might be denied tickets.

In addition to assembly candidates, the BJP has fielded Santuk Marotrao Hambarde for the upcoming Nanded Lok Sabha by poll. This by poll was necessitated following the passing of sitting Congress MP Vasantrao Chavan in August. In a tribute to his legacy, Congress has nominated Chavan’s son, Ravindra Chavan, to contest from the Nanded seat. The Nanded bypoll is scheduled for November 20, along with the Maharashtra Assembly polls and the second phase of the Jharkhand elections. Results for the bypoll will be declared on November 23.

Meanwhile, the ruling Mahayuti alliance has named candidates for 260 seats, leaving 28 seats yet to be announced. With October 29 being the final day for filing nominations, the alliance is expected to finalize the remaining names shortly.​