Wednesday, February 2 2005 14:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: With the electoral understanding among the UPA (Unite Progressive Alliance) constituents going haywire in Bihar, the CPM (Communist Party of India Marxist) yesterday (Feb 01, 2005) announced it would fight 10 more seats in addition to three seats it is contesting in the first phase of polls on Feb 3.

"We will put up our candidates in ten more seats to go to the polls in the second and third phases on February 15 and 23 respectively," CPM Politburo member Sitaram Yechuri told a press conference in Patna.

Claiming that "friendly fight" among UPA constituents would not affect poll prospects, Yechuri said communal forces were getting jittery due to the overwhelming support to the secular alliance led by the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) during joint election meetings.

Yechuri said that in the second phase the party besides contesting the two sitting seats at Bibhutipur and Khagaria would put up candidates for Rosera (SC), Begusarai, Laukaha, Hayaghat and Singhia (SC) and requested the CPI (Communist Party of India) and the Congress to leave Begusarai and Singhia for it.

In the third phase, the party would field candidates in Sugauli, Mairwan and Mirganj seats. The party is contesting Buxar, Khalgaon and Hisua seats in the first phase, Yechuri said.