The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra, led by Ajit Pawar, has revealed its first list of 38 candidates for the upcoming elections. Ajit Pawar, who is both the party president and deputy chief minister, will be contesting from the Baramati assembly constituency for the eighth time. This announcement was made by NCP’s Maharashtra president Sunil Tatkare.
The list mainly consists of sitting MLAs who switched their allegiance to Pawar during the NCP split in June 2023. Interestingly, all nine ministers currently serving in the Mahayuti government have been included in the list. Some of the notable names include Chhagan Bhujbal from Yeola constituency, Dilip Walse Patil from Ambegaon, and Dhananjay Munde from Parli.
Additionally, two former Congress MLAs who recently joined the NCP, Hiraman Khoskar from Igatpuri and Sulbha Khodke from Amravati, have also secured candidature. It’s worth mentioning that BJP leader and former minister Rajkumar Badole will be contesting from the Arjuni-Morgaon assembly constituency in Gondia district.
However, it is interesting to note that the first list does not include candidates for any of Mumbai’s 36 seats. Senior NCP leader Nawab Malik, who is contemplating running from Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar, and his daughter Sana Malik, a potential candidate for the Anushakti Nagar seat, were not part of this initial announcement.
This move by the NCP reflects a strategic focus on strengthening their position in different constituencies across Maharashtra. With the inclusion of sitting MLAs and former Congress members, the party seems to be aiming to broaden its support base and appeal to a wider range of voters.
As the election season heats up, it will be interesting to see how these candidates campaign and connect with the voters in their respective constituencies. The dynamics of Maharashtra politics are ever-evolving, and the choices made by parties in candidate selection can have a significant impact on the election outcomes. Stay tuned for more updates as the election drama unfolds in the coming weeks.
