BJP's Shaina NC fielded from Mumbadevi by ally Shiv Sena for Maharashtra polls

BJP leader Shaina NC was keen to contest from Worli in Mumbai, but the seat was ultimately given to Shiv Sena's Rajya Sabha MP and former Congress leader Milind Deora.

In Short

• Shiv Sena announces 15 candidates for Maharashtra polls.
• Shaina NC was keen to contest from Worli seat initially
• Mahayuti alliance declares candidates on 279 of 288 seats so far

Shiv Sena, led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Monday announced a fresh list of 15 candidates, including Shaina NC, a leader from ally BJP, who will contest from Mumbadevi seat for next month's Assembly polls.

Shaina NC, a fashion designer by profession, was keen to contest from Worli in Mumbai, but the seat was ultimately given to Shiv Sena's Rajya Sabha MP and former Congress leader Milind Deora, who is pitted against Uddhav Thackeray's son Aaditya Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT).

Two candidates - Ashokrao Mane from Jan Surajya Shakti Party and Rajarshi Shahu Vikas Aghadi's Rajendra Yedraokar - both of whom are a part of the Mahayuti alliance, have been fielded from Hatkanangle and Shirol seats, respectively. The remaining candidates are from the Shiv Sena.

Here is the list of 15 candidates declared so far in the fresh list:

Sinkhed Raja: Shashikant Khedekar
Ghanasvangi: Hikamat Udhan
Kalyan Rural: Rajesh More
Bhandup West: Ashok Patil
Mumbadevi: Shaina NC (BJP)
Sangmaner: Amol Khatal
Shrirampur: Bhausaheb Kamble
Nevasa: Vittalrao Patil
Dharashiv: Ajit Pingale
Karmala: Digvijay Bagal
Barshi: Rajendra Raut
Guhagar: Rajesh Bendal
Hatkanangle: Ashokrao Mane (Jan Surajya Shakti Party)
Shirol: Rajendra Yedraokar (Rajarshi Shahu Vikas Aghadi)

With this, the Mahayuti alliance have declared candidates on 279 seats and nine more are left. Of this, 146 candidates from the BJP are contesting, 78 from Shiv Sena, 49 from NCP led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and six from other parties.

Maharashtra, which has 288 Assembly seats, will vote in a single phase on November 20. The counting of votes will be held on November 23.