Congress Strikes Hard On Rebel Candidates, Suspends 28 Ahead Of Maharashtra Polls

In preparation for the Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) announced significant disciplinary measures on Sunday night, suspending seven additional rebel candidates for their involvement in activities deemed detrimental to the party.

Earlier in the day, the MPCC had already suspended 21 other rebels, raising the total number of suspensions to 28 across 22 constituencies, according to ANI.

The latest individuals to be suspended include Shamkant Saner, Rajendra Thakur, Aba Bagul, Manish Anand, Suresh Kumar Jethliya, Kalyan Borade, and Chandrapaul Chauksey.

Among those previously suspended are Anandrao Gedam, Shilu Chimurkar, Sonal Kove, Bharat Yereme, Abhilasha Gavature, Premsagar Ganvir, Ajay Lanjewar, Vilas Patil, Aasma Javad Chikhlekar, Hanskumar Pandey, Kamal Vyavhare, Mohanrav Dandekar, Mangal Vilas Bhujval, Manoj Shinde, Suresh Patilkhede, Vijay Khadse, Shabir Khan, Avinash Lad, Yagvalya Jichkar, Raju Jhode, and Rajendra Mukah.

Earlier, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala stated that any party members who rebel and contest against the official Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidates could face a six-year suspension, as reported by ANI. The suspended members intend to run against the MVA alliance's official nominees.

The MVA, a coalition of the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), is seeking to regain power in the state, opposing the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which comprises the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

Maharashtra's Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with vote counting for all 288 constituencies taking place on November 23.