The BJP, after its dismal performance in the general elections, has made a serious attempt to strike a balance by giving representation to Marathas, OBCs and the Dalit community before the next Assembly elections, likely in September-October.
Biennial elections are scheduled for July 12 for 11 seats. These five leaders will present their nominations on July 2, which is the last date for this.
The BJP's decision to rehabilitate Munde, who hails from the Vanjari community, is aimed at luring back the OBC community, especially in the wake of the ongoing protests over Maratha and OBC reservations.
Munde, who was women and child welfare minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led government in 2014 and 2019, is likely to be inducted into the state cabinet in the run-up to the Assembly elections.
Munde lost to NCP (SP) candidate Bajrang Sonawane from Beed constituency amid a widening gap between the Maratha and OBC communities and a growing caste divide that played a crucial role in the recent general elections. concluded.
Munde's rehabilitation has also sent a signal to BJP's ally, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, that she would not interfere in the Parli constituency, represented by the Dhananjay Munde party in the state Assembly.
Incidentally, Dhananjay Munde defeated Pankaja Munde from Parli constituency in the state Assembly elections of 2019. Both of them are cousins and are now in the Mahayuti together.
Fuke, a former minister and close confidant of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, hails from the Kunbi community. His nomination aims to regain control of the party and consolidate his position in the politically important Kunbi community of Vidarbha region, where the party suffered badly in the Lok Sabha elections.
Of the 10 seats, Mahayuti won only three seats as the other seven seats were won by Maha Vikas Aghadi.
Tilekar, a former legislator from Pune district, hails from the Mali community. His nomination also aims to reach out to Mali and other members of the OBC community.
Gorkhe, hailing from the Dalit community, is the state secretary of the BJP.
Also, Khot, who was a state minister in the Fadnavis-led government, hails from the Maratha community of Sangli district. His nomination aims to appeal not only to the Marathas but also to the farming community which is in distress due to internal and external factors.
Taking into account the current strength of 103 legislators in the state Assembly, the BJP has fielded five candidates, while the Shiv Sena can nominate two candidates based on its 37 legislators, and the NCP, two candidates with its 39 legislators. The Congress can contest one seat with its 37 legislators, while Maha Vikas Aghadi together can field a candidate based on the excess votes of the Congress Party and also with the support of 16 legislators of Shiv Sena (UBT) and the 13 legislators of the NCP (SP).
Meanwhile, the NCP nominated party general secretary Shivajirao Garje and party functionary Rajesh Vitekar. Garje hails from the Vanjari community, while Vitekar is Maratha. Both received the commitment from the party's national president Ajit Pawar.
Garje and Vitekar will file their nominations on Tuesday.
Garje is a former government official and has been associated with the PNC since its formation in 1999.
After Ajit Pawar abandoned his uncle and NCP founder Sharad Pawar in July 2023, Garje sided with the former.
In Vitekar's case, his appointment is aimed at his rehabilitation.
Vitekar was to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Parbhani constituency, but he could not do so after the NCP vacated the seat to ally with Rashtriya Samaj Paksha founder Mahadev Jankar. Vitekar's nomination is also intended to woo the Maratha community of Marathwada.
Biennial elections are scheduled for July 12 for 11 seats. These five leaders will present their nominations on July 2, which is the last date for this.
The BJP's decision to rehabilitate Munde, who hails from the Vanjari community, is aimed at luring back the OBC community, especially in the wake of the ongoing protests over Maratha and OBC reservations.
Munde, who was women and child welfare minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led government in 2014 and 2019, is likely to be inducted into the state cabinet in the run-up to the Assembly elections.
Munde lost to NCP (SP) candidate Bajrang Sonawane from Beed constituency amid a widening gap between the Maratha and OBC communities and a growing caste divide that played a crucial role in the recent general elections. concluded.
Munde's rehabilitation has also sent a signal to BJP's ally, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, that she would not interfere in the Parli constituency, represented by the Dhananjay Munde party in the state Assembly.
Incidentally, Dhananjay Munde defeated Pankaja Munde from Parli constituency in the state Assembly elections of 2019. Both of them are cousins and are now in the Mahayuti together.
Fuke, a former minister and close confidant of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, hails from the Kunbi community. His nomination aims to regain control of the party and consolidate his position in the politically important Kunbi community of Vidarbha region, where the party suffered badly in the Lok Sabha elections.
Of the 10 seats, Mahayuti won only three seats as the other seven seats were won by Maha Vikas Aghadi.
Tilekar, a former legislator from Pune district, hails from the Mali community. His nomination also aims to reach out to Mali and other members of the OBC community.
Gorkhe, hailing from the Dalit community, is the state secretary of the BJP.
Also, Khot, who was a state minister in the Fadnavis-led government, hails from the Maratha community of Sangli district. His nomination aims to appeal not only to the Marathas but also to the farming community which is in distress due to internal and external factors.
Taking into account the current strength of 103 legislators in the state Assembly, the BJP has fielded five candidates, while the Shiv Sena can nominate two candidates based on its 37 legislators, and the NCP, two candidates with its 39 legislators. The Congress can contest one seat with its 37 legislators, while Maha Vikas Aghadi together can field a candidate based on the excess votes of the Congress Party and also with the support of 16 legislators of Shiv Sena (UBT) and the 13 legislators of the NCP (SP).
Meanwhile, the NCP nominated party general secretary Shivajirao Garje and party functionary Rajesh Vitekar. Garje hails from the Vanjari community, while Vitekar is Maratha. Both received the commitment from the party's national president Ajit Pawar.
Garje and Vitekar will file their nominations on Tuesday.
Garje is a former government official and has been associated with the PNC since its formation in 1999.
After Ajit Pawar abandoned his uncle and NCP founder Sharad Pawar in July 2023, Garje sided with the former.
In Vitekar's case, his appointment is aimed at his rehabilitation.
Vitekar was to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Parbhani constituency, but he could not do so after the NCP vacated the seat to ally with Rashtriya Samaj Paksha founder Mahadev Jankar. Vitekar's nomination is also intended to woo the Maratha community of Marathwada.
