Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge are among 40 star campaingers who will lead the Lok Sabha election campaign in Maharashtra. The party released its list of star campaigners for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra which will be held on May 20. 


Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, party leader Rahul Gandhi, party's general secretary KC Venugopal, party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are on the list of star campaigners for the party. 


Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole, Leader of state's Congress Legislature Party Balasaheb Thorat, Maharashtra Assembly Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar have also been included in the list. 


Party's unit Mumbai unit chief and Congress candidate from Mumbai North Central, Varsha Gaikwad will also be party's star campaigner in Maharashtra. 






For the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections, nominations of 301 candidates have been found valid after scrutiny in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state, said the officials, as per a PTI report. 


Following the scrutiny, Dhule has 22 candidates, Dindori 15, Nashik 36, Palghar 13, Bhiwandi 36, Kalyan 30, Thane 25, Mumbai North 21, Mumbai North West 23, Mumbai North East 20, Mumbai North Central 28, Mumbai South Central 15 and Mumbai South 17, as per the report. 


The nomination papers can be withdrawn till May 6.


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Prominent candidates contesting polls in the fifth phase are sitting Shiv Sena MP Hemant Godse and Rajabhau Waje of Maha Vikas Aghadi from Nashik. 


Union minister Bharati Pawar is seeking another term in Lok Sabha from Dindori seat who will take on Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) candidate Bhaskar Bhagre.