393 candidates file nominations for third phase of Maha polls

As many as 393 candidates have filed nomination papers for 14 parliamentary constituencies which will go to the polls in the third phase of elections in Maharashtra.

Thursday was the last day for filing nominations for the polls scheduled for April 23.

The constituencies going to the polls in this phase are Jalgaon, Raver, Jalna, Auranagabad, Raigad, Pune, Baramati, Ahmednagar, Madha, Sangli, Satara, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, Kolhapur and Hatkanangale.

The last date for withdrawal of papers is April 8.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule (Baramati), state BJP president Raosaheb Danve (Jalna), Union Heavy Industries Minister Anant Gite (Raigad) are among the prominent faces in the fray.

Ahmednagar will be keenly watched as Sujay Vikhe Patil, son of Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly and Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, is contesting from there on BJP ticket against NCP MLA Sangram Jatap, who is son-in-law of BJP legislator Shivaji Kardile.

Forty-eight Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra are going to the polls in four phases -- April 11, April 18, April 23 and April 29.