Congress furious as Shiv Sena (UBT) names 17 candidates

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena (UBT) left Congress seething on Wednesday after it announced its first list of 17 candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, with the ally saying talks were still on for Sangli and three Mumbai constituencies.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led party has named wrestler Chandrahar Patil for Sangli, Anil Desai for Mumbai South Central, Sanjay Dina Patil for Mumbai North East and Amol Kirtikar for Mumbai North West seats.

Congress Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat and Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra assembly Vijay Wadettiwar asked their MVA partner to reconsider its decision, stressing that it did not suit "coalition dharma".


Their party colleague Sanjay Nirupam, who was keen to contest from Mumbai North West, said those who agreed to the seat-sharing formula were preparing to bury the Congress in Mumbai. Nirupam said he was prepared for a "friendly fight" in the constituency.

Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) constituents Congress, Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) have been holding seat-sharing discussions for the 48 constituencies in Maharashtra, where the Lok Sabha polls will be held in five phases starting April 19.

Amid the talks, Sena (UBT) earlier in the day released its first list of 17 candidates for the upcoming elections and said it will contest a total of 22 seats in the state. Congress has been demanding three of the six seats in Mumbai - North West, North Central and South Central. Thorat said the announcement was not right. "Everyone must follow coalition dharma. Shiv Sena (UBT) must reconsider its decision," said the senior Congress leader.