Summary:
The BJP has by-and-large applied four key criteria — status quo, elective merit, five-year performance and proactive role in membership — while allocating tickets to candidates. The party on Tuesday declared its first list of 125 seats, of which 92 have been renominated, while nine have been denied a ticket. Explaining the system, a BJP functionary said, "The party has set an ambitious target of winning more than 2.5 crore votes and also increase its vote share. Of the first list of 125 seats, 37 are from Western Maharashtra, 38 from Vidarbha, 20 from Mumbai and Thane, 17 from Marathwada and 11 from North Maharashtra. On the other hand, the party has nominated former Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who had joined the BJP recently, from Shirdi, former NCP legislator and Chhatrapati Shivaji descendent Shivendraraje Bhosale from Satara, former NCP legislator Rana Jagatjit Singh Patil from Tuljapur along with former NCP legislator Vaibhav Pichad from Akola..