Dissent among BJP members in Maharashtra has been growing after the party released its first list of 99 candidates for the upcoming elections. Some members have expressed their dissatisfaction with the chosen candidates, leading to resignations and potential defections. Former MLA Sandeep Naik, who was denied a ticket, is considering joining the NCP and contesting against the BJP’s sitting MLA. In Beed, the BJP’s district president resigned in protest and is expected to join another party to support their candidate. Other leaders across the state have also threatened to quit due to disagreements with the party’s decisions on candidate nominations.
In response to the discontent, several aspirants and sitting MLAs who were not included in the first list approached deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to advocate for their candidacy. While some members met with Fadnavis to express their gratitude for being nominated, others, like Versova MLA Bharti Lavekar and Malshiras MLA Ram Satpute, sought to secure their spots on the subsequent lists. It is speculated that some candidates may be replaced or not renominated in the following lists based on the discussions with Fadnavis.
Despite the tensions within the party, a BJP leader close to Fadnavis downplayed the situation, stating that it is common for members to express their concerns during candidate selection. The leader expressed confidence that the dissenting voices will diminish in the coming days.
The dissatisfaction among BJP members in Maharashtra highlights the challenges of candidate selection and internal party dynamics ahead of the elections. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the party will address the concerns raised by its members and maintain unity within its ranks.
