Archive · 4 Oct 2026
BJP Names Three Candidates as Mahayuti Seat-Sharing Faces Strain
The BJP has chosen three people to run in elections for Maharashtra’s Legislative Council.
Smita Jadhav will run in Pune Graduates, Sudhakar Kohale in Nagpur Graduates and Kaustubh Gawade in Pune Teachers.
The election is for five seats in total.
Voting is planned for October 23, 2026, and counting for October 27.
Congress has chosen Jayant Asgaonkar again for Pune Teachers.
Reports disagree about how the ruling Mahayuti alliance has divided the seats.
One report says the BJP will contest three seats and its partners one each.
Other reports say Shiv Sena wants the Pune Teachers seat, which the BJP has also chosen to contest.
A Shiv Sena associate said he intends to file his nomination, so the alliance disagreement may continue.
The BJP named Smita Jadhav for Pune Graduates, Sudhakar Kohale for Nagpur Graduates and Kaustubh Gawade for Pune Teachers.
The five Maharashtra Legislative Council constituencies are Pune, Nagpur and Aurangabad Graduates, and Pune and Amravati Teachers.
Polling is scheduled for October 23, 2026, with counting on October 27; nominations close October 6.
Congress renominated Jayant Asgaonkar for Pune Teachers; Kohale is set to face incumbent Congress MLC Abhijit Wanjari in Nagpur Graduates.
Reports differ on Mahayuti seat allocation: one describes a 3:1:1 arrangement, while others say Shiv Sena is seeking Pune Teachers, where the BJP has nominated Gawade.
- Who
- The BJP and its nominees Smita Jadhav, Sudhakar Kohale and Kaustubh Gawade; Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress are also involved.
- What
- The BJP announced candidates for three of five Maharashtra Legislative Council constituencies, amid conflicting reports about Mahayuti seat allocation.
- When
- The candidates were announced on Sunday; polling is scheduled for October 23, 2026, and counting for October 27.
- Where
- The constituencies are in Maharashtra: Pune, Nagpur and Aurangabad Graduates, and Pune and Amravati Teachers.
- Why
- The elections are being held as the terms of the sitting members are due to expire on December 6, 2026.
BJP’s announced candidates
Shiv Sena’s claim and alliance concerns
Who contests Pune Teachers
BJP’s announced candidates
The BJP nominated Kaustubh Gawade for Pune Teachers, where Congress has renominated Jayant Asgaonkar.
Shiv Sena’s claim and alliance concerns
Shiv Sena has sought the Pune Teachers seat; Mangesh Chivate said he would file a nomination, citing support from teachers and instructions from Eknath Shinde.
Mahayuti seat allocation
BJP’s announced candidates
One report says the alliance agreed that the BJP would contest three seats, while Shiv Sena and NCP would each contest one.
Shiv Sena’s claim and alliance concerns
Other reports say Shiv Sena is still insisting on Pune Teachers despite the BJP’s candidate announcement, leaving open the possibility of an alliance rebel contesting.
- BJP nominees
- Smita Jadhav — Pune Graduates; Sudhakar Kohale — Nagpur Graduates; Kaustubh Gawade — Pune Teachers
- Constituencies
- Pune, Nagpur and Aurangabad Graduates; Pune and Amravati Teachers
- Polling
- October 23, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Counting
- October 27, 2026
- Nomination schedule
- Filing closes October 6; scrutiny is October 7; withdrawal closes October 9, 2026
- Pune Teachers contest
- The BJP nominated Gawade; Congress renominated Jayant Asgaonkar, while Shiv Sena associate Mangesh Chivate said he intended to file a nomination.
- Reported Mahayuti allocation
- One report says BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP agreed to a 3:1:1 formula; other reports describe Shiv Sena seeking Pune Teachers despite the BJP nomination.
