NEW DELHI
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) officially named its candidates for the upcoming Legislative Council by-elections in Bihar and Maharashtra.
The party leadership approved the list just a day before the deadline, signaling a strategic move to secure its presence in the upper houses of both states.
In Bihar, the party has placed its trust in Surya Kumar Sharma, popularly known as Arvind Sharma, to contest the bypoll. Meanwhile, in Maharashtra, the BJP has nominated Dr. Pradnya Rajeev Satav for their respective vacant seat. These by-elections are seen as crucial tests of local strength before larger regional contests later this year.
In addition to the by-elections, the ruling party released five more names for the regular biennial elections in Maharashtra. The list includes Sunil Vinayak Karjatkar, Madhavi Naik, Sanjay Natthuji Bhende, Vivek Bipindada Kolhe, and Pramod Shantaram Jathar. By choosing a mix of seasoned leaders and regional faces, the BJP aims to maintain a disciplined and balanced representation in the state council.
The clock is now ticking for the candidates, as the final date to file nomination papers is April 30. Election officials will check the documents on May 2, and any candidate wishing to pull out must do so by May 4. The final showdown is set for May 12, when polling and vote counting will happen on the very same day. For the BJP, these elections are a vital part of their plan to strengthen their legislative power across India.
