Maharashtra Lok Sabha Election 2024: Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena on Thursday released its first list of eight candidates for Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The party has fielded Rahul Shewale from Mumbai South Central, and Hemant Patil from Hingoli as it retained tickets of seven sitting MPs. Shiv Sena will be contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in alliance with BJP and Ajit Pawar's NCP.
According to the list, Shinde's Sena has given a ticket to former Congress MLA Raju Parve from Ramtek (SC) seat, which will see polling on April 19. Parve had joined the Shiv Sena recently. He replaces Sena's sitting MP Krupal Tumane.
The other seven names on the list, all sitting MPs, are Rahul Shewale (Mumbai South Central), Sanjay Mandlik (Kolhapur), Sadashiv Lokhande (Shirdi (SC)) Prataprao Jadhav (Buldhana), Hemant Patil (Hingoli), Srirang Barne (Maval) and Dhairyasheel Mane (Hatkanangale).
In June 2022, the Shiv Sena, which had fought the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in alliance with the BJP, split and 13 of the 18 MPs from the state had allied with Shinde.
Actor Govinda joins Shiv Sena, returns to politics after 14 years
Earlier today, Bollywood actor Govinda, a mass entertainer of the 1990s who is known for his excellent comic timing and epic dance steps, joined the ruling Shiv Sena in Mumbai, making a comeback in politics after a 14-year hiatus.
The former Congress Lok Sabha MP joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the time of election season.
Govinda, who gave multiple superhit films in his decades-long career, made a blockbuster entry in electoral politics in 2004. That year, the "Hero No.1" actor emerged as a "giant killer" when, as the Congress candidate, he defeated BJP stalwart Ram Naik in the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat.
Shinde welcomed the 60-year-old actor into his party, saying he was a popular figure in all sections of society.
Speaking on the occasion, an emotional Govinda, who started his acting career in the 1980s and whose films were massy family entertainers, said after his first stint in politics from 2004 to 2009, he never felt he would again come back to the same field.
"I am back (in politics) after a 14-year-long 'vanvas' (exile)," he remarked.
The veteran actor, whose full name is Govinda Ahuja, said he would work in the art and culture field if given a chance.
Polling in the state will take place in the first five phases, starting April 19.
With inputs from PTI
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