Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, state unit chief R.R. Patil and senior ministers Ajit Pawar and Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil figure in the first list of 80 candidates announced by NCP for October 13 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
The Sharad Pawar-led party, which is a part of ruling alliance with Congress in the State for the last 10 years, is contesting 114 of the total 288 Assembly seats in Maharashtra while Congress is contesting remaining 174. The seat-sharing arrangement was formally announced in Delhi late Tuesday night.
Mr. Bhujbal would be contesting from Yevla in Nashik district from where he won the 2004 Assembly elections.
Mr. R.R. Patil is contesting from Tasgaon-Kavthe Mahankal in Sangli district. Ajit Pawar is seeking re-election from Baramati while Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil has been fielded by the party from Pandharpur in Solapur district.
NCP has also given ticket to minister of state Rana Jagjitsinh Patil, son of senior NCP leader Padmasinh Patil, who is in jail in connection with Pawanraje Nimbalkar murder case.
