Mumbai Beat

NCP declares more names

With its third list declared today, the Nationalist Congress Party has declared candidates for 185 of the 288 assembly constituencies in the state and 33 of the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies. Some more names will be declared later this week, but the bulk of the remaining seats have been kept vacant for its allies, Republican Party of India, Samajwadi Party and possibly the Janata Dal if it can be persuaded to join the coalition. Today8217;s list has three assembly candidates from Mumbai: Nihaj Ahmed from Matunga, Ram Pandagle from Malad and Parshuram Mirekar from Mulund. 8220;It brings our list for Mumbai to 13 of the 34 constituencies and we are still talking to other parties,8221; said spokesperson Gurunath Kulkarni. It is learned that the NCP may field another four-five candidates in the city leaving the rest for the RPI, SP and possibly the JD. The talks are likely to take another two-three days to reach a conclusion, said party sources. Candidates for 15 other assemblyconstituencies, mainly in Vidarbha, were also declared today.