Maharashtra polls: NCP announces 1st list of candidates; fields Ajit Pawar's nephew against him in Baramati

In a major announcement, the NCP-SCP has fielded Ajit Pawar's nephew Yogendra Pawar against him in Baramati.While the party has fielded Jayant Patil from Islampur, Jitendra Awahad from Mumbra, Gulabrao Deokar from Jalgaon Rural, Ashok Rao Pawar from Shirur, Anil Deshmukh from Katol, Rohit Pawar from Karjat Jamkhed constituenc, Rajendra Shingane from Shindkhed Raja, Bapu Saheb Pathare from Vadgaon Sheri and Rohini Khadse from Muktainagar."As per instructions from Nation President Sharad Pawar, I am announcing the first list of NCP SCP. Jayant Patil to contest from Islampur. Jitendra Awahad to contest from Mumbra. Anil Deshmukh to contest from Katol. Rohit Pawar to contest from Karjat Jamkhed and Rohini Khadse to contest from Muktainagar," Jayant Patil said while addressing a press conference.

On Yogendra Pawar, he said, "Baramati candidate selection is based on the demand from the local people of Baramati...I had the interaction with them...They have suggested he is the new face young & educated and can take everyone along...So we thought he would be the best person from our side...The way people are supporting him I think there will be different results this time," Jayant Patil said Meanwhile, Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray faction on Wednesday released its first list of 65 candidates for the Maharashtra Assembly elections.Shiv Sena (UBT) has once again fielded incumbent Aaditya Thackeray from the Worli constituency. Another interesting match-up is Kedhar Dighe, nephew of late Anand Dighe, who will be against CM Eknath Sindhe from the Kopri-Panchpakhadi Assembly constituency. Anand Dighe was the mentor of Eknath Sindhe.

Other candidates in the fray are Sunil Raut from Vikroli, Rajan Vichare from Than, Dipesh Mhatre from Dombivli, and Vaishali Sooryavanshi from Pachora.

Earlier in the day Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) released their first list of 38 candidates. Deputy chief minister and NCP president Ajit Pawar will be contesting from the Baramati Assembly constituency. Other candidates in the fray are Chhagan Bhujbal (Yeola), Dilip Walse Patil (Ambegaon).Notably, all three allies of the Mahavikas Aghadi are contesting 85 seats each. The party has also given a ticket to Hiraman Khoskar to contest from Igatpuri and Shulbha Khodke from Amravati, both of them are former Congress MLAs who joined the NCP recently. Khodke was expelled from the Congress on October 12. Khoskar joined the party on the night of October 14.The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23.In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena won 56 seats, and the Congress secured 44 seats. In 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, while the Shiv Sena won 63 and the Congress 42. (ANI)