The Bharatiya Janata Party has announced four candidates for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections in Maharashtra. The nominees include Ramdas Athawale, Vinod Tawde, Maya Chintaman Invate, and Ramrao Wadkute. Nominations must be filed by March 5, with voting and counting scheduled for March 16.
Preparations for the biennial elections to seven Rajya Sabha seats in Maharashtra have intensified. On March 4, 2026, the Bharatiya Janata Party announced four candidates approved by its central election committee. These include Union Minister and BJP ally Ramdas Athawale, BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde, Maya Chintaman Invate, and Ramrao Wadkute.
The ruling Mahayuti alliance is expected to secure six seats, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) could claim one if it reaches a consensus on a candidate. Negotiations within the MVA continue, with the NCP (SP) insisting on nominating Sharad Pawar, whose Rajya Sabha term ends next month. Pawar is set to be discharged from a city hospital on March 4. NCP (SP) state president Jayant Patil stated, "All of us insist that Pawar saheb should be in Delhi for MVA and for NCP (SP)." He expressed hope for a unanimous decision by Thursday.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said no final decision has been made yet, though his party has staked a claim to the seat. The state Congress leadership seeks the seat but may support Pawar if he decides to contest. Meanwhile, the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) has named Parth Pawar, son of the late NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who will file his nomination on March 5. An election will be held on March 16 if more than seven candidates are fielded. Political parties are busy strategizing amid the developments.
