NEW DELHI: The Congress has announced its second list of candidates for 23 constituencies for the Maharashtra Assembly election. The Central Election Committee (CEC) of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) met and approved the names in a press release issued today, October 26.
The Congress declared 48 candidates in its first list. With this list, the party has now announced 71 candidates. In its first list, released on Thursday, October 24, Congress fielded Nana Patole from Sakoli, former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan from Karad South, and Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Assembly Vijay Wadettiwar from Brahmapuri.
The Nagpur South seat, which had become a point of contention between Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), was awarded to Congress. Girish Krushnarao Pandav will be fielded from the Nagpur South constituency against BJP candidate Devendra Fadnavis.
The Congress list features a mix of new and experienced faces, emphasizing representation for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and other marginalized communities. Among the prominent candidates are:
The Congress asserted that there were no differences within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, and the final seat-sharing arrangement among its constituents would be out by Saturday evening.
“The MVA is contesting unitedly, and we have no differences,” said Mr. Chennithala, who is the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Maharashtra.
Dr. Rajesh Tukaram Manvatkar, a reputed doctor from the Jalgaon district known for his work in healthcare for the underprivileged, will challenge the BJP’s candidate in the Bhusawal constituency.
The Congress has nominated candidates for three seats in Mumbai. Ganesh Kumar Yadav will contest from Sion-Koliwada, Yashwant Singh will contest from Charkop, and Kalu Badheliya from Kandivali East. The list also includes Suresh Bhoyar, who will contest against Maharashtra BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule in the Kamthi constituency.
The opposition party retained 25 incumbent MLAs in its first list of nominees.