Maharashtra assembly polls: Shiv Sena (UBT) releases 1st list of 65 candidates, Aaditya Thackeray to contest from Worli

Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray faction, also know as Shiv Sena (UBT), on Wednesday released the first list of 65 candidates for Maharashtra assembly polls. It mentions that Aaditya Thackeray will be contesting from Mumbai's Worli. Also, Kedar Dighe, the nephew of late Shiv Sena leader Anand Dighe, has been fielded from Thane's Kopri-Panchpakhadi seat, where CM Eknath Shinde is in the fray.

Key names announced in Shiv Sena UBT's first list include

- Kudal: Vaibhav Naik

- Sawantwadi: Rajan Teli

- Thane: Rajan Vichare

- Guhaghar: Bhaskar Jadhav

- Dombivli: Dipesh Mhatre

- Bandra East: Varun Sardesai

- Vikroli: Sunil Raut

The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23.

MVA allies Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) to contest 85 seats each, talks on for undecided constituencies

Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey exuded confidence in the victory of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, saying in Maharashtra, MVA will form the government.

He also said that "Shiv Sena (UBT) would like to contest on as many seats as possible. We would like to contest at least 100 seats," and also noted that in fact, it will be 'beneficial' for MVA if Shiv Sena (UBT) contests on more seats.

“People like Uddhav Thackeray's leadership. If Shiv Sena (UBT) contests more seats, it will benefit Maha Vikas Aghadi. We are taking more time because we want to contest the elections with more preparation. Everything is fine in Maha Vikas Aghadi.”

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).

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 (Ajit Pawar) recently. Khodke was expelled from the Congress on October 12. Khoskar joined the party on the night of October 14.