MUMBAI: Shiv Sena has announced its first list of 45 candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, re-nominating key sitting legislators and ministers who remained loyal to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde after his rebellion in June 2022. The list was released late on Tuesday, with Shinde set to contest again from Kapri-Pachpakhadi.

The party has focused on renominating ministers such as Gulabrao Patil (Jalgaon Rural), Sanjay Rathod (Digras), Abdul Sattar (Sillod), Dadaji Bhuse (Outer Malegaon), Tanaji Sawant (Paranda), Shambhuraj Desai (Patan), Uday Samant (Ratnagiri), and Deepak Kesarkar (Sawantwadi). Vilas Bhumre, son of former Minister Sandipan Bhamre, has been nominated from the Paithan seat following his father’s election to the Lok Sabha.

Shiv Sena is aiming to secure not less than 80 seats in its alliance talks with BJP and NCP. CM Shinde, amid ongoing protests for Maratha and OBC reservations, emphasized social engineering while releasing the first list on the day nomination filing began. The polling for the Maharashtra Assembly elections is scheduled for November 20, with nominations open until October 29.

Notably, Uday Samant’s brother, Kiran Sawant, has been fielded from Rajapur, marking his entry into electoral politics. Suhas Babar, son of party legislator Anil Babar, will contest from the Khanapur seat following his father’s recent passing.

Other key nominees include Manjula Gavit (Sakri ST), Chandrakant Sonawane (Chopra ST), Amol Chimanrao Patil (Erandol), Kishor Patil (Pachora), and Chandrakant Patil (Muktainagar), among others. Former Minister Arjun Khotkar will contest from Jalna, and Suhas Kande has been nominated from Nandgaon, despite opposition from NCP leaders.

Close associates of CM Shinde, such as Pratap Sarnaik (Ovala Majiwada), Prakash Surve (Malthane), and Manisha Waikar (Jogeshwari East), have also secured nominations. The list further includes Mahendra Dalvi (Alibag), Bharat Gogawale (Mahad), Mahesh Shinde (Koregaon), and Yogesh Kadam (Dapoli).

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