Ramdas Athawale Gets BJP Ticket as Party Announces 4 Rajya Sabha Nominees in Maharashtra

New Delhi: The BJP on Wednesday announced the names of four candidates for the elections to be held for seven Rajya Sabha seats from Maharashtra. The list released from the party headquarters in New Delhi includes the names of Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, National General Secretary Vinod Tawde, Maya Chintaman Evenate and Ramrao Wadkute. Tomorrow, i.e., 5th March, is the last date for nomination; hence, all these people can file their papers till late night.

Will Athawale's journey in Rajya Sabha continue?

Republican Party of India chief and Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale is in the Upper House these days, but his tenure was ending in April. By giving him another chance, BJP made it clear that the support of this old NDA ally remains intact. Athawale, famous for his outspoken poems and light-hearted style in Parliament, came to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis before his nomination.

Will Tawde return to Rajya Sabha?

BJP's National General Secretary Vinod Tawde was engaged in organizing the organization's ground front for the last several years. The strategy of Bihar elections was on his shoulders. Tawde, who was a former minister in the Maharashtra government, will now enter Parliament through the Rajya Sabha. A section within the party was angry about 'outsider' candidates, but the high command expressed confidence in Tawde.

What exact juggling of caste equation?

The electoral cleverness of the party is clearly visible in the remaining two names. Maya Chintaman Evenate is the former mayor of Nagpur Municipal Corporation and comes from the tribal community. Ramrao Wadkute of Hingoli represents the Dhangar, i.e., OBC, community. In this way, through four candidates, one Scheduled Caste, one Maratha, one tribal and one OBC, BJP has tried to woo four caste camps simultaneously.

Will Mahayuti get six seats?

Voting will take place on March 16 and the results will be declared the same evening. Mahayuti has 233 MLAs in the Maharashtra Assembly, BJP 131, Shiv Sena 57 and NCP 40. On the strength of this majority, Mahayuti can win at least six seats. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has a total of 46 MLAs from which it can get a maximum of one seat.

Who will get Sharad Pawar's seat?

There is another interesting move on this whole political chessboard. Sharad Pawar's tenure is also ending in April and NCP (SP) has put forward the name of Parth Pawar on his seat. The name of Rahul Shewale from Shinde group is considered almost certain. Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) have not revealed their cards yet. The game may change in Maharashtra politics by March 9, the last date for withdrawal of nominations.