MUMBAI: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) led by Mayawati will be contesting all 288 seats in Maharashtra and is confident of winning at least 25 seats, a majority of which are in Vidarbha and Marathwada.

The biggest challenge before the BSP will be the Republican Party of India-led Third Front, which is likely to eat into its dalit, north Indian and Muslim vote banks. The BSP had secured nearly 5% of the total votes polled in Maharashtra during the recent LS elections. However, RPI leader Ramdas Athavale has claimed that the BSP will be completely wiped out of Maharashtra during this election.

"We are not afraid of empty threats given by Athavale," said BSP's national general secretary Suresh Mane. "We do not recognise Athavale's group as the Third Front. If there is any real third force in Maharashtra, it is the BSP."