Mumbai/Nashik: Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, has announced candidates for three Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, increasing the number of seats they are contesting to 15. Currently, BJP has 27 seats in Maharashtra, while NCP has five, including one contested by ally RSP. The three seats announced by Shiv Sena include Nashik, which was sought after by all three partners in the Mahayuti alliance. Shinde’s choice prevailed over BJP and NCP, allowing Shiv Sena to secure more seats than they currently hold.

For the Nashik seat, Shiv Sena renominated the sitting MP Hemant Godse. They also announced Naresh Mhaske, ex-mayor, as their candidate for the Thane seat, which was also demanded by BJP. Additionally, Shiv Sena officially declared the candidature of Shinde’s son, Shrikant Shinde, the sitting MP, for the Kalyan seat, a name that was announced by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis last month.

These announcements come just days before the deadline for nominations, which is Friday for Phase 5 elections when Mumbai, MMR, and Nashik will go to the polls. However, no candidate has been declared yet for Palghar. BJP State Chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule stated that BJP would most likely contest from there.

Please refer to the following article for more details: [Mhaske nominated as Mahayuti candidate for Thane Lok Sabha](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thane/mhaske-nominated-as-mahayuti-candidate-for-thane-lok-sabha/articleshow/109760991.cms).