MOHAMMAD ZIYAUDDIN
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Mumbai, March 16 (PTI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced the names of three candidates for the March 27 by-elections to the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC). Among them is Sandip Diwakarrao Joshi, a close aide of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with Sanjay Kishanrao Kenekar and Dadarao Yadavrao Keche.
Why Are These By-Elections Being Held?
The by-elections were triggered by the victory of five sitting MLCs in the November 2024 assembly elections.
Party-wise Breakdown of Vacated MLC Seats:
- BJP: 3 seats
- Shiv Sena: 1 seat
- NCP: 1 seat
All three parties are part of the ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra.
BJP’s Three Candidates for MLC By-Elections
Sandip Diwakarrao Joshi – Former Nagpur Mayor and a trusted aide of CM Devendra Fadnavis.
Sanjay Kishanrao Kenekar – General Secretary of the Maharashtra BJP unit.
Dadarao Yadavrao Keche – Former MLA from Arvi (Wardha district, Vidarbha region).
Keche’s Political Background:
- Won the Arvi assembly seat in 2009 and 2019.
- Denied a ticket in 2024 when BJP fielded Sumit Wankhede, the former personal secretary of Fadnavis.
By-Election Process & BJP’s Strength in Assembly
MLC seats are filled by MLAs in the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
BJP Strength: 132 MLAs
Shiv Sena Strength: 57 MLAs
NCP Strength: 41 MLAs
With 230 MLAs supporting the Mahayuti government, the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance is comfortably placed to win all five MLC seats.
Key Election Dates
Last date to file nominations: March 17
Scrutiny of nominations: March 18
Last date for withdrawal: March 20
Voting (if required): March 27
Only MLAs will vote in this election, forming the electoral college.
With the Mahayuti alliance holding a clear majority, the BJP and its allies are expected to secure an easy victory in these by-elections.
