India, Jan. 7 -- Out of the 649 candidates in fray for the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) polls, more than 200 are contesting as independents or nominees of minor parties after being denied tickets by their own parties. A majority of these candidates will contest against candidates fielded by the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, while in some cases, spouses of Shiv Sena candidates in particular wards will take on Sena nominees in other wards.

"It does not look good when the spouse of a person contesting on a Shiv Sena ticket is fighting against a Shiv Sena candidate in another ward," said Shiv Sena spokesperson Rahul Londhe.

Transport minister and Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik has spoken to the concerned candidates and their family mem...