25 candidates in fray for two LS bypolls in Maha

As many as 25 candidates are in the fray for the by-elections to Bhandara-Gondia and Palghar Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra to be held on May 28.

While 18 candidates are locked in a battle for the Bhandara-Gondia seat, seven others will try their luck for Palghar.

The by-elections were necessitated due to the resignation of sitting BJP MP Nana Patole in Bhandara-Gondia and death of sitting BJP MP Chintaman Wanga of Palghar.

The Congress has decided to tie up with the NCP in the bypolls. While the NCP will contest the Bhandara-Gondia seat, the Congress will fight the Palghar seat.

While the BJP has poached Congress leader Rajendra Gavit and fielded him as its candidate in Palghar, the Shiv Sena has inducted Srinivas Wanga, Chintaman Wanga's son, into the party and fielded him as its nominee.

In Bhandara-Gondia, the main fight is between Hemant Patle of the BJP and Madhukar Kukde of the NCP. There are eight independents and one candidate each from Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, Bahujan Republican Socialist Party, Baliraja Party, Bahujan Mukti Party, Akhil Bharatiya Manavta Paksh, Ambedkarite Party of India, Gondvana Gantantra Party and Vidarbha Maza Party.

Palghar will see a five-cornered fight with BJP's Rajendra Gavit, Shiv Sena's Srinivas Wanga, Congress' Damodar Shingda, Baliram Jadhav of Bahujan Vikas Agadhi and Kiran Gahla of the CPM in the fray. There is one independent candidate and another one of Marxist Leninist Party.

For the Palus Kadegaon assembly bypoll, Vishwajit Kadam is the lone candidate in fray after BJP withdrew its nominee. The by-election was necessitated due to the death of senior Congress leader and his father Patangrao Kadam.