The announcement comes ahead of the filing of nominations, the last date for which is April 30. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on May 2, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is May 4

Gaikwad, whose party is a constituent of the ruling BJP-led coalition, is at the centre of a controversy over his alleged offensive phone conversation regarding Pansare’s book 'Shivaji Kon Hota'