Shiv Sena announces list of 20 candidates | Mumbai News

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena led by CM Eknath Shinde has released its second list of 20 candidates, featuring Milind Deora from Worli, Nilesh Rane from Kudal and Murji Patel from Andheri East. Deora will be locked in a contest with Aaditya Thackeray of the Shiv Sena UBT.

Murji Patel, who was with the BJP, joined the Shiv Sena on Sunday. The Shiv Sena had wanted to hang Sweekruti Sharma, wife of encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma, but the BJP opposed this due to Pradeep Sharma’s controversial past. Patel subsequently joined the Shiv Sena and his candidature was announced.

Nilesh Rane joined the Shiv Sena in Kudal last week. His brother Nitesh will contest from Malvan on a BJP ticket. BJP leader Rajendra Gavit, who had followed Shinde when he defected, switched to the BJP during the Lok Sabha elections. He rejoined the Sena on Sunday and has been given a ticket by Palghar.

Shiv Sena deputy leader Sanjay Nirupam, who recently joined from the Congress, has been given a ticket from Dindoshi, sitting MLA Balaji Kinikar has been renominated from the Ambernath seat, while former MLA Tukaram Kate has been given a ticket from Chembur. He will be pitted against Prakash Phatarpekar of the Shiv Sena (UBT).

MLC Bhavana Gawali has been given a ticket by Risod. In the Lok Sabha polls from Yavatmal Washim, she was denied a ticket but Shinde later rehabilitated her by giving her an MLC ticket. She has been a Member of Parliament for five terms.

Former MLC Aamshya Padavi who recently joined the Shiv Sena from the Shiv Sena (UBT) has been given a ticket from Akkalkuwa in Nandurbar. In Boisar, former MLA Vilas Tare, who was with the BJP, also joined the Shiv Sena.

Meanwhile, Sanjana Jadhav, daughter of former BJP minister Raosaheb Jadhav, joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of Eknath Shinde on Sunday. She is likely to contest from Kannad constituency in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Her name has not yet been released.