Maharashtra elections: NCP-SP releases 9 names as alliance trouble continues

Mumbai: The Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP on Sunday released yet another list of 9 candidates for the Maharashtra elections, bringing its tally to 76 seats. The nominated candidates include Fahad Ahmad, husband of actress Swara Bhasker. Ahmad is being fielded from Anushakti Nagar in Mumbai where NCP MLA (Ajit faction), has fielded Nawab Malik's daughter Sana Malik. NCP-SP Maharashtra president Jayant Patil said that names of some more candidates will be released soon.

"Fahad Ahmed is a well-educated Muslim youth. He is an activist and a young leader and we wanted to give him an opportunity. He was in the Samajwadi Party earlier, however, we wanted to field him... so we spoke to the party leadership and inducted him in our party," said Patil on Sunday. The eight other candidates in the list include Gyayak Patni from Karanja, Atul Wandile from Hinganghat, Rahul Kalate from Chinchwad, Ajit Gavhane from Bhosari, Mohan Jagtap from Mazalgaon and Siddhi Ramesh Kadam from Mohol.

Patil said that till now they have included 11 women candidates in their lists. Even as the NCP-SP issued a list, the party is still trying to resolve the seat-sharing issue with its allies.