Sena fields 'Ab Tak Chhappan' ex-cop Pradeep Sharma from Nalasopara

The Shiv Sena fielded former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma from Nalasopara, Palghar district for the Maharashtra assembly elections. The former Mumbai cop had joined Shiv Sena on September 13, 2019. He had recently resigned from the police force. He was handed the AB form by Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to contest from Nalasopara constituency; AB forms are the paperwork submitted by political parties sponsoring their candidate to the Election Commission. 

READ | Maharashtra Elections: VBA and MIM alliance not yet confirmed

Ex-encounter specialist joins Shiv Sena

On the occasion of his induction into the party, the Shiv Sena chief had said lauded Sharma saying earlier his gun would speak, and now his 'mann' (heart) will speak, reports say. Sharma also reciprocated, saying that when he was in the force, he was always inspired by late Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray. Pradeep Sharma is believed to have done several encounters. Media has reported the number of Sharma's encounters ranging it from 150 to 300. As per reports, the hit Shimit Amin movie starring Nana Patekar 'Ab Tak Chhappan' was inspired by Pradeep Sharma and other well-known encounter specialists like him.

READ | Aaditya Thackeray to contest from Worli in the Maharashtra elections

Aaditya Thackeray to contest from Worli

Shiv Sena is also fielding Aaditya Thackeray from Worli, Mumbai in the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly. He will become the first member of the Thackeray family to contest elections. If he wins he will be the first member to represent the people. Thackeray is the President of  Shiv Sena youth wing Yuva Sena.

READ | Maharashtra & Haryana Elections: Here are Voter, Seat and EVM figures

Maharashtra assembly polls

The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora on September 21 announced the election dates for Maharashtra and in October during a press briefing.  The CEC informed that Maharashtra will undergo polls in a single phase on October 21, 2019. He added that the 288-seat Maharashtra legislative assembly will expire on November 9. The counting of polls will be done on October 24.

READ | Maharashtra & Haryana Elections 2019 on October 21; results on 24th