Mumbai, October 28 (IANS). Maharashtra’s ruling Shiv Sena on Sunday announced its second list of 20 candidates. It also includes former Union minister Milind Deora, who will challenge Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Aditya Thackeray in the Worli constituency.
Former MP Sanjay Nirupam, who left Congress and joined Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, has been fielded against Sunil Prabhu of Shiv Sena (UBT) from Dindoshi constituency.
The party has fielded Nilesh Rane, son of former Chief Minister and Union Minister Narayan Rane, as its candidate from Kudal seat against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Vaibhav Naik. Nilesh Rane left BJP last week and joined Shiv Sena in the presence of Chief Minister Shinde.
With the second list, Shiv Sena has so far announced 65 candidates.
Balaji Kinikkar, the sitting MLA from Ambernath, has been made a candidate again after Shinde intervened and pacified party leaders opposing Kinikkar’s re-nomination.
Besides, the party has fielded Murji Patel from Andheri East against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Rutuja Latke. Patel, who had filed his nomination as a BJP candidate, had withdrawn his name due to the death of sitting Shiv Sena (United) MLA Ramesh Latke during the by-election in November 2022.
Former MP Rajendra Gavit has been fielded from Palghar in place of sitting MLA Srinivas Vanaga. Gavit came from Congress to Shiv Sena, then to BJP and then back to Shiv Sena.
Other candidates include Anand Bharose from Parbhani, Vilas Tare from Boisar, Shantaram More from Bhiwandi Rural, Santosh Shetty from Bhiwandi East, Vishwanath Bhoir from Kalyan West, Suvarna Karanje from Vikhroli, Tukaram Kate from Chembur, Vijay Shivtare from Purandar, Mitra from Kolhapur North. Vice President Rajesh Kshirsagar, State Council member Amshya Padvi from Akkalkua, Baliram Shiraskar from Balapur, Sambharao Kohalikar from Hadgaon and Anand Tidke-Patil from Nanded South.
–IANS
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