Friday, January 28 2005 13:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Senior Bihar Minister Upendra Prasad Verma and RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) state president Abdul Bari Siddiqui were prominent among 422 candidates who submitted their papers on the last day of filing of nominations yesterday (Jan 27, 2005) for the second phase of Assembly polls in Bihar and Jharkhand, to be held on February 15.

About 105 candidates entered into the fray in Bihar, where 86 constituencies spread over 14 districts will go to hustings in the second round.

While Panchayati Raj Minister Verma filed his nomination for Jamalpur, Siddiqui submitted papers for Bahera Assembly seat.

As many as 317 candidates submitted their papers for the second phase of Assembly elections in Jharkhand, where the number of contestants swelled to 538.

The scrutiny of papers would be held today in the two eastern states, while the last date for withdrawal of nominations is January 31.