The party is contesting the Maharashtra polls in alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and both parties have announced they would come up with a joint manifesto after the nominations close Sep 25.

However, the Congress is facing criticism after it Wednesday named Rajendra Shekhawat, son of President Pratibha Patil, as its candidate from the prestigious Amravati assembly constituency of Vidarbha in eastern Maharashtra, which was represented by state minister Sunil Deshmukh.

Deshmukh, who has been elected from there twice in 1999 and 2004, said he would contest the polls from Amaravati as an Independent.

However, the Congress Thursday played down Deshmukh's rebel threat.

Jayanthi Natarajan said: 'During election time, there is certain amount of unhappiness among those who are denied tickets. The real Congressmen will not rebel against official candidates.'