The Maharashtra Congress intensified disciplinary action against anti-party activities ahead of the November 20 Assembly elections and suspended 28 rebel candidates for six years. These candidates from 22 assembly constituencies are in the fray against the official nominees of the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
This decision has been taken on directives of AICC in-charge Ramesh Chennithala, a Congress statement said. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala had said that all party rebels contesting against the official MVA candidates would face a six-year suspension.
Which Congress Leaders Got Suspended
The leaders who faced the action include Anandrao Gedam, Shilu Chimurkar, Sonal Kove, Bharat Yereme, Abhilasha Gavature, Premsagar Ganvir, Ajay Lanjewar, Vilas Patil, Aasma Javad Chikhlekar, Hanskumar Pandey, Kamal Vyavhare, Mohanrav Dandekar, Mangal Vilas Bhujval, Manoj Shinde, Suresh Patilkhede, Vijay Khadse, Shabir Khan, Avinash Lad, Yagvalya Jichkar, Raju Jhode, and Rajendra Mukah.
The other leaders are Shamkant Saner, Rajendra Thakur, Aba Bagul, Manish Anand, Suresh Kumar Jethliya, Kalyan Borade and Chandrapaul Chauksey.
The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with votes for all 288 constituencies to be counted on November 23.
The opposition MVA coalition, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (SCP), seeks to reclaim power in the state, challenging the Mahayuti alliance, which includes Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
In 2019, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and Congress 42.