In a calibrated move ahead of the Rajya Sabha biennial elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday announced <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/rajya-sabha-elections-2026-ramdas-athawale-vinod-tawde-among-bjps-four-candidates-from-maharashtra-23619267" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">four candidates from Maharashtra</a>, reflecting a classic social combination. The party has nominated candidates to ensure community representation across key segments.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Pawar-1_e.jpg" alt="Parth Pawar is set to file his nomination as the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) nominee. Pic/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI" width="1280" height="720" /> Parth Pawar is set to file his nomination as the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) nominee. Pic/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
Meanwhile, within the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/shiv-sena-ubt-mla-slams-rajiv-bajaj-over-maharashtra-ev-policy-row-23618242" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Maha Vikas Aghadi</a> (MVA), internal discussions have reportedly narrowed to senior NCP leader Sharad Pawar as the alliance&rsquo;s likely sole candidate. The MVA, which had fielded four candidates earlier, can now put up only one due to reduced strength in the state legislature.
In the Mahayuti camp, Parth Pawar is set to file his nomination as the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) nominee.
<h2>BJP&rsquo;s Maharashtra candidates</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Ramdas-Athawale_e.jpg" alt="Ramdas Athawale, Union Minister of State (right) BJP&rsquo;s National General Secretary, Vinod Tawde" width="1280" height="720" /> Ramdas Athawale, Union Minister of State (right) BJP&rsquo;s National General Secretary, Vinod Tawde
Vinod Tawde&nbsp; Maratha community Ramdas Athawale Scheduled Caste Maya Chintaman Ivnate &nbsp;Scheduled Tribe Ramrao Wadkute&nbsp; Dhangar community
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Ramrao-Vadkutte_e.jpg" alt="Former Mayor of Nagpur, Mayatai Ivnate (right) Former Member of the Legislative Council, Ramrao Wadkute. Pic/X/@AshokChavan1958" width="1280" height="720" /> Former Mayor of Nagpur, Mayatai Ivnate (right) Former Member of the Legislative Council, Ramrao Wadkute. Pic/X/@AshokChavan1958
Why elections? &gt;&gt; 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states going to polls &gt;&gt; 7 seats from Maharashtra &gt;&gt; Tenure of sitting members ending
Poll Schedule &gt;&gt; Notification issued: February 26 &gt;&gt; Last date for nominations: March 5 &gt;&gt; Scrutiny: March 6 &gt;&gt; Withdrawal deadline: March 9 &gt;&gt; Voting (if required): March 16
Mahayuti seat sharing &gt;&gt; BJP &ndash; 4 candidates &gt;&gt; Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) &ndash; 1 seat &gt;&gt; NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) &ndash; 1 seat &gt;&gt; Parth Pawar is expected to contest
Feb 26 Day the Election Commission issued a notification for polls

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