The Shiv Sena has released a list of 21 names for the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra that includes 17 of its 18 MPs, in an apparent bid to avoid rebellion. Osmanabad Member of Parliament Ravi Gaikwad, who sparked nationwide outrage after he allegedly assaulted an Air India staffer with a slipper in 2017, has been dropped. The party has given a ticket to former legislator Omraje Nimbalkar from Osmanabad, where he will face his cousin and NCP lawmaker Rana Jagatjit Singh Patil, son of NCP veteran and former MP Padmasinh Patil. As per their seat-sharing pact in the state, the Sena will contest 23 seats, leaving 25 for its senior alliance partner BJP. Maharashtra will vote in four phases – April 11, 18, 23, and 29. For the remaining two seats in Sena's kitty, the party is in talks with the BJP over Satara and Palghar constituencies. Sources said Mathadi leader and former NCP legislator Narendra Patil on Friday met Sena president Uddhav Thackeray and requested to support him as a BJP nominee in Satara against NCP MP Udayanraje Bhosale. A Sena leader told DNA, "The party has offered BJP to exchange Satara with North East Mumbai which is currently represented by BJP MP Kirit Somaiya. If BJP agrees to our proposal, then Sena will contest North East Mumbai leaving Satara to BJP." He said Somaiya's candidature was not announced by the BJP in its first list announced on Thursday. The Sena leader said his party is insisting that BJP leave Palghar to them as discussed during their seat-sharing talks. "In the bypoll held last year, BJP's Rajendra Gavit, a Congress minister, defeated Sena nominee and son of former BJP MP late Chintamani Wanga, Shrinivas Wanga.'' ''We will announce the names of remaining candidates by Sunday," informed Sena minister Subhash Desai. Sena has fielded Hemant Patil, who hails from Nanded district, in Hingoli constituency. Its nominee Subhash Wankhede had lost to Congress's Rajiv Satav in 2014 elections. Subsequently, Wankhede joined the BJP. In Kolhapur, the party has given a ticket to Sanjay Mandlik against NCP nominee Dhananjay Mahadik. In Hatkalangade, the party has nominated former NCP leader Dhairyasheel Mane against Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) MP Raju Shetti. Shiv Sena's other nominees include Arvind Sawant against Congress Nominee Milind Deora in South Mumbai, Rahul Shewale against Congress candidate Eknath Gaikwad in South Central Mumbai, Gajanan Kirtikar in North Central Mumbai, Rajan Vichare against NCP nominee Anand Paranjpe in Thane, Shrikant Shinde against NCP nominee Babaji Patil in Kalyan, Hemant Godse against NCP nominee Samir Bhujbal in Nashik, Sadashiv Lokhande against Congress nominee Bhausaheb Kamble in Shirdi, Shivajiro Adhalrao Patil against NCP nominee Amol Kolhe in Shirur, Shrirang Barne against NCP nominee Parth Pawar in Maval, Chandrakant Khaire in Aurangabad, Prataprao Jadhav in Buldhana, Anandrao Adsul against Congress-NCP supported independent Navneet Kaur Rana in Amravati, Bhavna Gawli against Congress nominee Manikrao Thakre in Yavatmal, Anant Geete against NCP nominee Sunil Tatkare in Raigad, and Vinayak Raut in Sindhudurg Ratnagiri. Sources said Sena was mulling replacing Gajanan Kirtikar, its MP from North Central Mumbai, with his son Amol Kirtikar citing the former's old age. However, it didn't go ahead fearing a backlash. "I am still confident of getting the nomination in the next three to four days. I believe that certain outsiders who have joined the party along with my detractors are spreading canard against which may have led to the cancellation of my candidature. However, I have done ample amount of work in my constituency and I am sure my party will take heed of it, " MP Ravi Gaikwad told DNA. Booted Out

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