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All Maharashtra council candidates to be elected unopposed after Congress opts out
Congress opted out of the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections after a meeting with Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP leaders. By the last day for nominations, only proportional numbers from major parties had filed papers, paving the way for unopposed elections for 10 seats. Nomination activities included Zeeshan Siddique joining the NCP and Shiv Sena fielding Neelam Gorhe and Bachchu Kadu, with the BJP, Sena, and NCP making limited nominations.
Why It Matters
The move to unopposed elections streamlines the council race and reflects shifting alliances and strategic decisions among major Maharashtra parties.
Timeline
8 Events
Nine seats to go to biennial elections as sitting members retire
May 13, 2026
Nine of the ten seats are due for biennial elections as sitting members retire on May 13, 2026.
All candidates set to be elected unopposed as nominations conclude
May 1, 2026
With only a proportionate number of nominations filed by the main parties, all ten Maharashtra Legislative Council seats are set to be elected unopposed.
Congress claims primary responsibility for MVA representation
May 1, 2026
Congress state president Harshwardhan Sapkal said Congress will take primary responsibility for MVA representation in the coming round of elections, citing a previous lack of communication and prolonged discussions.
Mahayuti coalition nominations announced
April 30, 2026
In the Mahayuti coalition, the BJP has fielded six candidates, the Shiv Sena two (Bacchu Kadu and Neelam Gorhe), and the NCP one (Zeeshan Siddique). From the opposition, Sena (UBT)’s Ambadas Danve has been nominated for one seat.
Shiv Sena (Shinde) faction fields Neelam Gorhe and Bachchu Kadu
April 30, 2026
Shiv Sena has fielded deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe and Prahar Janshakti Party founder Bachchu Kadu after they joined the Eknath Shinde-led faction.
Zeeshan Siddique files NCP nomination for Legislative Council
April 30, 2026
Former MLA Zeeshan Siddique, son of slain NCP leader Baba Siddique, filed his nomination as the NCP candidate for the Legislative Council polls. He joined the NCP along with his father but had lost the Vandre East assembly election in November 2024.
Congress opts out of Maharashtra Legislative Council elections after meeting with Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) leaders
April 30, 2026
The Congress party announced it would not contest the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections following a meeting with senior Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) leaders on Thursday, which is the last day for filing nominations.
Tenth seat vacancy created by Pradnya Satav's resignation and BJP accession
December 2025
The tenth seat fell vacant after Congress MLC Pradnya Satav resigned and joined the BJP in December 2025. She is one of the BJP’s candidates in the fray.