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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled its second list of 22 candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, revealing strategic moves and potential contests in key constituencies. While retaining seven incumbent MLAs, the party has made significant changes in two key districts, reflecting a calculated approach to securing victories in the upcoming polls.
In the district of Gadchiroli, the BJP has opted to replace sitting MLA Deorao Holi with Dr. Milind Narote. Similarly, in Washim, sitting MLA Shyam Khode has been replaced by Lakhan Malik, indicating a shift in strategy for these regions. However, the party has retained several incumbent MLAs, including Devyani Pharande (Nashik Central), Prakash Bharsakhle (Akot), Kumar Ailani (Ulhasnagar), Ravindra Patil (Pen), Bhimrao Tapkir (Khadakwasla), Sunil Kamble (Pune Cantonment), and Samadhan Autade (Pandharpur).
The BJP has also fielded two MLCs – Gopinath Padalkar and Ramesh Karad – in the upcoming elections. In the constituency of Latur Rural, Ramesh Karad will face a formidable challenge from Congress heavyweight Dhiraj Deshmukh, the younger son of the late former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. Deshmukh secured a significant 67.64% of the vote in the 2019 Assembly elections, demonstrating the strong support he commands in the region.
Another noteworthy candidate is Gopichand Padalkar, a prominent Dhangar community leader nominated to the state legislative council in 2020. The BJP has now fielded him in the Jat constituency, marking a strategic attempt to capitalize on his community's support. In the 2019 elections, Padalkar contested from the Baramati constituency against veteran NCP leader Ajit Pawar, securing a significant portion of the vote, despite Pawar's overwhelming victory.
The BJP's first list, released last Sunday, included 99 candidates. With the addition of 22 candidates in the second list, the party has declared a total of 121 candidates for the Assembly elections. The party is expected to contest a total of 155 to 160 seats, demonstrating its ambition to secure a strong majority in the state government.
In the Kasba Peth constituency, the BJP has fielded Hemant Rasane, who narrowly lost to Congress's Ravindra Dhangekar in the by-elections held last year. The by-polls were necessitated following the passing away of the sitting BJP MLA Mukta Tilak. The close contest, with Rasane securing 45.09% of the vote to Dhangekar's 52.98%, highlights the competitiveness of this constituency.
In the Akola West constituency, the BJP's candidate is Vijay Agrawal. The seat was previously held by six-term MLA Govardhan Sharma, who sadly passed away last year. Sharma represented the Akola West constituency from 1995 to 2019, leaving a significant legacy in the region. The BJP's choice of Agrawal reflects their strategy to maintain their presence in this crucial constituency.
The release of the second list marks a significant step in the BJP's campaign for the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The party's strategic moves, including the replacement of sitting MLAs, the fielding of prominent community leaders, and the selection of candidates in key constituencies, reflect their commitment to securing a decisive victory in the upcoming polls. The upcoming weeks will witness intense campaigning as the BJP and its rivals vie for the support of voters across the state.