Congress releases lists of 39 candidates, nominates 4 women, 6 SCs and 6 STs

MPCC general secretary Sachin Sawant, AICC secretary Ganesh Yadav, developer Kalu Badheliya, former legislator Asif Zakaria, former MPCC president Manikrao Thakre, senior functionary Dayanand Chorghe and Anuja Kedar figure in the second and third lists, a total of 39 candidates , that Congress declared on Saturday for the elections. Jalna legislator Kailash Gortantyal and Nanded South's Mohan Hambarde are the only two sitting MLAs to have been renominated. Sawant, who was nominated from Andheri West, posted on X late on Saturday his "inability" to contest, saying he had "requested from Bandra E."

Suresh Bhoyar, son of Congress veteran Yadavrao Bhoyar, will take on BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule in Kamptee. Anuja Kedar is the wife of sitting MLA Sunil Kedar, who was barred from contesting after his conviction in a multi-crore scam. Of 39 candidates, four are women , six are from the Scheduled Castes and six from the Scheduled Tribes . In the first list, Congress had released names for 48 seats.

A former MP said it appears the Mumbai negotiating team had "completely surrendered to the UBT Shiv Sena and NCP."