Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) recently expanded its roster for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, releasing a second list of 15 candidates. This addition raises the party’s total announced candidates to 80 as they join forces with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. The initial list, featuring 65 candidates, included Thackeray’s son Aaditya and 14 other sitting MLAs who remained loyal following the party's split. The latest list introduces several prominent candidates, including Ajay Chaudhari for Sewri, who will face MNS’s Bala Nandgaonkar, and Manoj Jamsutkar for Byculla, a seat previously contested within the MVA’s seat-sharing framework. Other new additions include Sandesh Parkar, who will compete against BJP’s Nitesh Rane in Kankavali, and Shraddha Jadhav, who is running from Wadala.
Key Contestants Across Constituencies
The latest candidate list reveals several new names poised to contest significant constituencies. For Sewri, Ajay Chaudhari is expected to challenge Bala Nandgaonkar of MNS, making it a closely watched race in Mumbai. Byculla’s candidate, Manoj Jamsutkar, enters a seat that has been a point of debate within the MVA’s seat-sharing discussions. Kankavali sees Sandesh Parkar preparing to contest against BJP’s Nitesh Rane, while Shraddha Jadhav will compete for Wadala. Additionally, new entrants such as Anil Gote from Dhule, Raju Tadvi from Chooda, and Jayshree Sunil Mahajan from Jalgaon city add depth to the Sena (UBT)’s campaign across diverse constituencies.
MVA Seat-Sharing Formula Reached
The MVA alliance, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP), reportedly agreed on a seat-sharing arrangement covering 255 out of Maharashtra’s 288 constituencies. Each party is expected to contest 85 seats, though sources reveal that both Congress and Sena (UBT) initially sought around 100 seats each, aiming for stronger positioning in the bid for the Chief Minister’s post. Shiv Sena (UBT) has indicated Uddhav Thackeray as their chief ministerial candidate, while Congress, buoyed by recent Lok Sabha successes, has also put forth contenders for the position.
NCP’s Quiet Power Play for Seats
Meanwhile, the NCP (SP), under the guidance of 83-year-old Sharad Pawar, initially focused on securing around 70-75 seats, primarily concentrating on candidate selection and campaign strategy. However, with their decision to also contest 85 seats, they now match their MVA partners, positioning each ally on equal footing. This development opens the possibility for any MVA member with a strong showing to vie for the Chief Minister’s office, adding a competitive dimension to the alliance’s election strategy. As the race intensifies, the highest-performing party within MVA could potentially claim leadership in a successful alliance outcome.
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