BJP has released its first list of 172 candidates for Maharashtra assembly elections. The party has decided to field 36 sitting MLAs and one sitting Member of Legislative Council in the ensuing polls. Leader of Opposition in State Assembly Eknathrao Khadse will contest from Muktainagar, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Vinod Tawde from Borivali. State unit chief Devendra Fadnavis has been made party candidate from Nagpur South West. There are 15 women candidates in the list which was released by the Secretary of Central Election Committee and National General Secretary JP Nadda last night.

Nationalist Congress Party also released a list of 131candidates .However the party did not announce any nominee against Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan in Karad South.The party has fielded Pushpasen Sawant from Kudal in Sindhudurg district against Congress leader Narayan Rane. Congress has also released its second list of 143 candidates for Maharashtra Assembly polls late last night . Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, MNS released its second list of 71 candidates including its sitting MLA Bala Nandgaokar from Mumbai. On Thursday MNS had released first list of 153 candidates including seven sitting MLA's.

The total number of nominations filed in Maharashtra till Friday was 3,044.

Today is the last date of filling nomination and the polling to the 288 members assembly will be held on 15th October.
In a significant political development in the state , Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan met Maharashtra Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao and submitted his resignation last evening.