Maharashtra polls: 173 candidates to contest from Nashik

As many as 173 candidates of political parties including the Congress, NCP, BJP, Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) remain in the fray in 15 assembly constituencies in Nashik district, collector Vilas Patil and returning officer said on Wednesday.

He said that 313 candidates filled up nominations for 15 assembly constituencies and after scrutiny, 264 candidates remained valid. Later, 91 candidates withdrew nominations on September 30 and October 1, there are 173 candidates in the fray, he told reporters.

Important constestants are former Maharashtra Public Works Department Minister Chhagan Bhujbal (NCP) from Yeola, his son sitting NCP MLA Pankaj Bhujbal from Nandgaon, BJP's Maharashtra state unit general secretary Seema Hiray from Nashik (West), Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU) state unit general secretary D L Karad from Nashik (West), former Nashik Municipal Corporation Mayor Dashrath Dharmaji Patil (Congress) from Nashik West, former BJP Deputy Mayor Devyani Pharande, former minister and senior Shiv Sena leader Babanrao Gholap's son Yogesh Gholap from Devlali.