Shiv Sena releases first list of 70 candidates; Aditya Thackeray from Worli, encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma to contest from Nallasopara

After Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced its first list of candidates, the Shiv Sena also released its list of 124 seats but only announced names of 70 candidates so far that will be contesting in the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections.

In order to quell rebellion, the Shiv Sena is being particularly careful not to officially put out a list and is instead handing out A/B forms directly to its candidates.

As anticipated, Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray's son Aditya Thackeray will contest the Assembly elections from the prestigious Worli seat in Mumbai. Encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma will contest from Nallasopara. Senior Sena leaders Pratap Sarnaik, Eknath Shinde will be contesting from Owla Majivade and Kopar Pachkapdi respectively.

Sena has awarded its new joinees with party tickets. Bhaskar Jadhav, who has returned to the Sena after being in NCP for many years, will contest from Guhagar. Pandurang Barola, who quit NCP, will now contest from Shahapur. Abdul Sattar, ex-Congress, is now fielded from Shillod and Nirmala Gavit, who recently joined Shiv Sena from Congress has been fielded from Igatpuri.

Sada Sarwankar will contest from Mahim.

The Shiv Sena has released a list of candidates for 124 seats. The BJP had announced the name of candidates for 125 seats.

The Shiv Sena will be contesting the Maharashtra elections in an alliance with the BJP.

The 288-member Maharashtra Assembly will go to polls on October 21 and the results will be declared on October 24.