The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Ajit Pawar, unveiled its second list of candidates on Friday morning, adding further momentum to its campaign for the Maharashtra Assembly elections. This list includes seven candidates who will contest in high-stakes seats across the state, marking key battles in the upcoming election.

One of the most anticipated contests will be in Mumbai’s Bandra East, where Zeeshan Siddique, a former Congress MLA who officially joined the NCP on Friday, will contest. Recently expelled from Congress, Zeeshan has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, especially after they named Varun Sardesai, Aaditya Thackeray’s cousin, as their candidate in Bandra East. This rivalry adds further significance to the constituency, where Zeeshan previously triumphed over the undivided Shiv Sena in 2019. With no internal faction this time, Bandra East is now set for a direct showdown between Siddique and Sardesai.

Following the murder of his father, former minister Baba Siddique, two weeks ago, Zeeshan’s shift to NCP has been closely watched. Baba Siddique had recently joined the NCP, and Zeeshan, though initially unaffiliated, hinted at his loyalty by appearing alongside Ajit Pawar in recent events. His social media posts criticized former allies for “not valuing friendship,” further signaling his frustration and resolve for the campaign.

The NCP’s second list also included Sana Malik, daughter of jailed MLA Nawab Malik, who will run from Anushaktinagar. Nawab Malik, who faces charges in a separate case, may run as an Independent from Shivaji Nagar-Mankhurd, potentially challenging Samajwadi Party’s Abu Azmi. Sana’s absence from the initial candidate list had raised questions, especially after BJP announced it would not support her.

Other prominent names include former BJP MPs Sanjaykaka Patil and Pratap Patil-Chikhalikar, who will contest from Tasgaon-Kavathe Mahankal and Loha constituencies, respectively. In Pune’s Vadgaon-Sheri, the NCP retained its sitting MLA Sunil Tingre as its candidate, overcoming competition from the BJP, which was eyeing the seat for its former MLA Jagdish Mulik.

The list also includes Nishikant Patil, who will challenge NCP (SP) state president Jayant Patil in Islampur, and Dyaneshwar Katke, who will face off against NCP (SP)’s Ashok Pawar in Shirur.

The NCP’s strategic candidate selections reflect its efforts to solidify its base while challenging rivals across key regions. As Maharashtra’s Assembly elections approach, with voting scheduled for November 20 and results expected on November 23, the dynamics are shaping up to be complex and competitive, especially in areas where intra-coalition rivalries are evident.