Tue Nov 05 07:13:45 UTC 2024: ## Shiv Sena (UBT) Expels 5 Rebel Leaders Ahead of Maharashtra Assembly Elections
**Mumbai:** The Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, has expelled five of its leaders for anti-party activities. The move comes after the leaders refused to withdraw their nominations for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, scheduled for November 20.
The expelled leaders are:
* Rupesh Mhatre, MLA from Bhiwandi East
* Vishwas Nandekar
* Chandrakant Ghugul
* Sanjay Awari
* Prasad Thackeray
This expulsion follows a similar move by the Congress, which saw seven of its rebel candidates withdraw their nominations. This included notable figures like Madhurima Raje Chhatrapati, who withdrew from the Kolhapur North constituency, leaving the Congress without representation in one of its strongholds.
Other notable withdrawals include Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, who announced he would support two candidates in the upcoming elections.
With the withdrawal of nominations, the total number of candidates in the fray for the 288 assembly seats now stands at 4,140. This marks a 28% increase compared to the 2019 Assembly elections.
The upcoming elections will witness a major battle between the factions of the NCP and the Shiv Sena, which have split down the middle. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction have joined hands with the BJP to form the Mahayuti.
The 2019 Assembly elections saw the BJP emerge victorious with 105 seats, followed by the Shiv Sena (56) and the Congress (44). The counting of votes for the 2023 elections is scheduled for November 23.
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