Wednesday, March 15 2006 14:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: NCP today (Mar 15 2006) renominated Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and senior leader Vasant Chavan as party candidates for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections from Maharashtra.

Patel, a three-time Lok Sabha MP, hails from Gondia district of Vidarbha region. He was first elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2000.

Chavan, former spokesperson of the Maharashtra unit of NCP, was elected to the Upper House in April last year after Sanjay Nirupam quit the seat following expulsion from the Shiv Sena.

Chavan is also incharge of organisational elections in the Sharad Pawar-led NCP.

Congress is yet to decide on its two candidates from the state for the biennial elections. While Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde is expected to find a place, hectic lobbying is on for filling the second vacancy.

Shiv Sena has nominated former Speaker Manohar Joshi and BJP has decided to renominate party vice-president Bal Apte. In 2000, Sena supported Ram Jethmalani who contested as an indenpendent candidate.