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. Today's list has three assembly candidates from Mumbai: Nihaj Ahmed from Matunga, Ram Pandagle from Malad and Parshuram Mirekar from Mulund. ``It brings our list for Mumbai to 13 of the 34 constituencies and we are still talking to other parties,'' 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.

2 held for fake currency racket

The crime branch arrested four cheats, including two Andhra Pradesh policemen, for dealing in fake currency at Chembur on Sunday evening. On a tip-off, crime branch sleuths were asked to gather information on some cheats who duped businessmen by offering them double the money in counterfeit currency. Investigations revealed the gang's members would give Rs 10 lakh in fake currency notes for circulation in lieu of genuine notes of Rs 3 lakh. The modus operandi was to use chemicals to make genuine notes look fake and gain confidence of people, said senior inspector Laxman Nikam. Police laid a trap at Chembur Garden, and when two men came with a large bag, swooped down on the suspects and arrested them. The accused were identified as Mohammed Makdum (40) and Maula Khan.