BJP Finalizes Strategy for Maharashtra Elections

The Election Commission is set to announce the schedule for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, as major political parties, particularly the BJP, intensify their preparations. In a crucial meeting led by BJP President J.P. Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah, the party has decided to contest approximately 150 of the 288 seats, focusing on regions like Vidarbha, North Maharashtra, and Mumbai. The BJP will share seats with allies Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), with around 90% of the seat-sharing agreement already finalized. Key discussions included screening candidates for about 100 seats where the BJP currently holds MLAs, and the first list of candidates is expected to be announced on October 16. The BJP aims to recover from losses in the previous Lok Sabha elections, where it only secured 17 out of 48 seats, by relying on strategic seat allocations and effective campaign initiatives. The upcoming elections will also coincide with polls in Jharkhand, with announcements anticipated in the coming days.