Thursday, February 10 2005 10:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: As many as 1,868 candidates, including Chief Minister Rabri Devi and JMM (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha) rebel Stephan Marandi, were left in the fray as battle lines were drawn yesterday (Feb 9, 2005) for the third and final leg of Assembly polls in Bihar and Jharkhand slated for February 23.

As the deadline for withdrawals expired, 1,336 contestants in Bihar and 532 in Jharkhand, witnessing its first maiden Assembly polls, were left in the race.

Rabri Devi and Upendra Singh, Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, are among prominent contestants trying their luck for 93 constituencies in Bihar going to husting in the final round.

The incumbent Chief Minister is seeking a second term from Raghopur seat while JD-U (Janata Dal-United) leader Upendra Singh has thrown his hat into the ring from Jandaha in Vaishali district.

Other notable candidates for the third phase are Congress Legislature party leader Vijay Shanker Dubey and senior RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) Ministers, Awadh Bihari Choudhury and Rama Devi.

Twenty-five candidates opted out of contest leaving 532 in fray for 28 seats up for grabs in Jharkhand in the final phase.

Rajya Sabha member and JMM rebel Stephan Marandi is vying for honour in Dumka constituency.

Other leading candidates in fray in the last leg in the State include BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader and Jharkhand Agriculture Minister Debidhan Besra and Ex-Ministers Pasupatinath Singh and Baccha Singh.