Sun Oct 20 18:31:29 UTC 2024: **Summary of Maharashtra BJP Candidates List 2024:**

1. **Candidate Announcement**: The BJP has released its first list of 99 candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections.

2. **Focus on Women**: The party has prioritized women candidates, nominating 13, including Shrijaya Chavan, daughter of former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who will contest from Bhokar.

3. **Incorporation of Incumbents**: Despite anti-incumbency sentiments, the BJP has predominantly selected current MLAs, indicating a strategy to leverage their experience for electoral success.

4. **Support for Shelaar Family**: The party has given two tickets to the Shelaar family, with Aashish Shelaar contesting from Bandra West and his brother Vinod Shelaar from Malad, highlighting the importance it places on influential families.

5. **Chandrashekhar Bawankule’s Return**: The state president, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who was denied a ticket in 2019, has been given another chance, reflecting confidence in his leadership abilities.

6. **Kalidas Kolambkar’s Inclusion**: Veteran politician Kalidas Kolambkar, who has contested nine times and won eight, has again been nominated, underscoring the value placed on experience.

7. **Notable Candidates**: Other key candidates include:
– Devendra Fadnavis from Nagpur South West
– Sanjay Kute from Jalgaon
– Sudhir Mungantiwar from Ballarpur
– Chandrakant Patil from Kothrud (Pune)
– Sanjay Kelkar from Thane
– Sambhaji Nilekar from Nilanga

8. **Family Representation**: Santosh Danve, son of veteran leader Raosaheb Danve, has also been given a ticket, illustrating the trend of prioritizing family connections within the party.

Overall, the BJP’s candidate list signals a commitment to experienced leadership while promoting women’s empowerment and maintaining social balance through family representation in the electoral process.

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