Saturday, January 29 2005 10:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Papers of all political heavyweights were found valid while nearly 60 nominations were rejected during scrutiny yesterday (Jan 28, 2005) for next month's second round of the three-phased Assembly polls in Bihar and Jharkhand.

As many as 33 nominations were found invalid during scrutiny for 26 out of 29 constituencies going to hustings on February 15 in Jharkhand.

Details from Saraikela, Kharsawan and Icchagarh are yet to pour in, state election officials said in Ranchi.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda has entered the electoral race from Kharsawan. Other notable players in fray are Health Minister Dinesh Sarangi (Behragora), Bihar MLC Saryu Rai (Jamshedpur West) and BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) state unit president Raghubar Das (Jamshedpur East).

Papers of all prominent contestants were found valid in Bihar where 86 constituencies spread over 14 districts will go to polls in the second phase.

January 31 is the last date for withdrawals for the second phase in both the eastern states.

The first phase of balloting in the two states will be held on February 3, along with the one-day Haryana Assembly polls.