Maharashtra Elections: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Tuesday, October 22, released its first list of 45 candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Sharing the list on his X handle, CM Shinde wrote: "The list of official candidates of Shiv Sena Party for Maharashtra Assembly Election - 2024 is being announced with the blessings of Hindu Heart Emperor Honorable Shiv Sena Chief Balasaheb Thackeray and Honorable Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Saheb". He also wished the candidates luck for the upcoming polls.
As per the list, CM Eknath Shinde will contest from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi Assembly constituency, while Sada Sarvankar has been pitted against Raj Thackeray's son Amit Thackeray from Mahim.
The party has also fielded MP Ravindra Waikar's wife Manisha Ravindra Wayakar from the Jogeshwari (East), Mangesh Anant Kudalkar from Kurla, Dilip Bhausaheb Lande from Chandivali, and Yamini Yashwant Jadhav from Byculla Assembly seats.
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Shinde's Sena released its candidates list two days after its Mahayuti ally, Bharatiya Janata Party, released its list of 99 candidates. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been fielded from the Nagpur South West, while state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule from Kamthi seat.
Shiv Sena, BJP, and the NCP are contesting the Maharashtra Assembly polls under the Mahayuti alliance. According to the finalised seat-sharing deal, the BJP will likely contest majority of the 288 seats.
BJP is likely to contest 152-155 seats, while the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena will receive 78-80 seats. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar-led NCP is likely to contest 52-54 seats. NCP is yet to release its first list of candidates for the Maharashtra polls.
The Maharashtra Assembly elections will take place in a single phase on November 20. The counting of votes will be done on November 23.