Monday, February 21 2005 17:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna/Ranchi: Tightening the leash on potential trouble makers, authorities acted tough against two ruling RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) MPs of Bihar, one of them a brother of Chief Minister Rabri Devi, as curtains today (Feb 21, 2005) came down on the long-drawn campaign for the final phase of polling in Assembly elections in the State and in neighbouring Jharkhand.

In an eventful climax to electioneering in Bihar, the Election Commission externed RJD MP Sadhu Yadav, brother of the Chief Minister, from Gopalganj constituency where his wife Indrani Devi is in fray. Gopalganj comes under Yadav's Lok Sabha constituency.

Another party MP Mohd Sahabuddin from Siwan was detained in Beur jail till completion of the poll process on February 28 on a directive by Siwan district magistrate C K Anil.

The action against the lawmaker came a day after Patna High Court had given him bail in the murder of a CPI-ML (Communist Party of India- Marxist-Lennist) leader.

An estimated 2 crore 65 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the last phase of polling in the two States scheduled for February 23.