Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Ambedkar-led VBA announces first list of 11 candidates; fields a transgender

Announcing the candidates during a press conference in Mumbai, VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar said Shamibha Patil, a transgender from the Leva Patil community, will contest from Raver assembly seat in Jalgaon district of north Maharashtra.

Mumbai: The Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) announced the first list of 11 candidates for the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly polls and among them fielded Shamibha Patil, a transgender, from Raver in Jalgaon district.

Shamibha, a social activist, is the founder and state coordinator of Trittiyapanthi Hakka Adhikar Samiti.

Shamibha, who hails from the Leva-Patil community, has been associated with the VBA for several years.

Announcing the candidates during a press conference in Mumbai, VBA chief PraThe 11 candidates include two women - Savita Mundhe of Vanjari community who will fight for the Sindhkhed-Raja constituency, while Megha Kiran Dongare, a Buddhist, would contest the Washim seat.

Other candidates are Nilesh T. Vishwkarma, an OBC fielded from Dhamangaon Railway seat; Vinay Bhange, a Buddhist from Nagpur South West; Avinash Nanhe, a doctor of Dhivar community from Sakoli; and Farooq Ahmad, a Muslim from Nanded South seat, Shiva Narangle, a Lingayat from the Loha seat; Vikas R. Dandge, a Maratha who will contest from Aurangabad East constituency; Kisan Chavan, a Pardhi tribal from Shevgaon; and Sangram K. Mane of Waddar community from Khanapur assembly seat.kash Ambedkar said Shamibha Patil, a transgender from the Leva Patil community, will contest from Raver assembly seat in Jalgaon district of north Maharashtra.