Bhopal: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader and Uttar Pradesh chief minister announced a list of 62 candidates for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls slated for late this year.

Releasing the list last night, BSP's national vice-president in-charge of Madhya Pradesh, Rajaram, said the party would contest in all 230 Assembly seats and shortlisting process for the remaining seats was on.

The next list would be announced soon, he added. BSP is the first party in the state to release names of candidates for the forthcoming Assembly polls.

The list of 62 candidates from 31 districts included three women and one Muslim. Party sources said the BSP would try to repeat its success story in Uttar Pradesh. For the purpose, the party has roped in members of different castes, particularly Brahmins and Thakurs of the upper caste. About 25 candidates belonging to the two castes were nominated in the first list, the sources added.

The list is, however, dominated by OBC candidates as a number of Kushwahs, Yadavs, Baghels, Gaurs and Patels figured in the list.

Source : PTI