Tuesday, May 17 2005 08:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was among a large number of aspirants who entered the fray on the last day of filing nominations for June 2 Assembly bypolls to 15 seats spread over five States.

Hooda threw his hat into the ring as a Congress candidate from Kiloi Assembly constituency.

Besides Hooda, 38 candidates entered the fray for bypolls to three Assembly constituencies in Haryana.

Thirty-five hopefuls jumped into the electoral arena in Uttar Pradesh where bypolls will be held to four Assembly constituencies.

The constituencies are Allahabad West, where the widow of slain Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislator Raju Pal is trying her luck, Haiser Bazar, Varanasi North and Khiaragarh.

A total of 36 candidates filed papers on the last day for crucial bypolls to five Assembly seats in Goa.

Fourteen candidates entered the fray for Axhikode and Koothuparamba Assembly seats in Kerala.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister S Bangarappa of Samajwadi Party (SP) was among 12 candidates who filed papers for the June 2 bye-election to Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency.

Bypoll will also be held to Chamarjpet Assembly seat in the State on the same day.