In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Congress party has released its first list of 48 candidates. This announcement comes just a day after the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) finalized its seat-sharing formula, agreeing on an 85-85-85 seat distribution among Congress, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The list of Congress candidates includes 25 sitting MLAs, signaling the party’s confidence in retaining key constituencies.
Key Candidates in Congress’ First List
The Congress has fielded some of its most prominent leaders in this crucial election. Among them:
- Nana Patole, the state Congress president, will contest from Sakoli.
- Balasaheb Thorat, the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party, will stand from Sangamner.
- Vijay Wadettiwar, Leader of the Opposition, is contesting from Bramhapuri.
- Prithviraj Chavan, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, will be in the fray from Karad South.
- Naseem Khan, Congress Working President, will contest from Chandivali.
Tough Negotiations and Seat-Sharing Formula
Congress had initially pushed for 125 of Maharashtra’s 288 assembly seats, while Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena had proposed a cap of 100 seats for Congress. After intense negotiations and the intervention of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, a consensus was reached on the 85-85-85 seat-sharing formula. This agreement allows each of the three major MVA allies—Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP—to contest 85 seats each, leaving the remaining seats for smaller allies such as the Samajwadi Party, Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Alliance Stands United
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut confirmed that the MVA has reached a consensus on 270 of the 288 seats and emphasized the coalition’s resolve to unseat the ruling Mahayuti government, led by the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction).
“We have amicably arrived at a consensus on 270 seats. The MVA stands united to defeat the Mahayuti government,” Raut said at a press conference.
Election Timeline
The elections for the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly are scheduled for November 20, with counting of votes to take place on November 23. The current assembly’s term will end on November 26, setting the stage for a fiercely contested electoral battle in one of India’s most politically significant states.
This first list of Congress candidates reflects the party’s strategy to strengthen its position in Maharashtra, and more announcements are expected in the coming days as the election momentum builds.
Stay updated with Sampadak Express for the latest developments in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections.
