Bihar Mahagathbandhan: RJD names 2 candidates for 2nd phase\, Cong\'s Tariq Anwar to contest from Katihar



Bihar Mahagathbandhan: RJD names 2 candidates for 2nd phase, Cong's Tariq Anwar to contest from Katihar

File Photo

The opposition Grand Alliance in Bihar Sunday announced the names of five Lok Sabha seats which will be contested by the RJD and the Congress in the second phase of polling on April 18. The Congress will put up candidates from Kishanganj, Katihar and Purnea, while its ally the RJD will field its nominees from Banka and Bhagalpur Lok Sabha seats.

While the RJD has announced the names of the two candidates, the Congress has announced names of three candidates for the second phase. The last date for filing nominations for the second phase of polling is March 26.

"Of the five seats where polling will take place in the second phase, Kishanganj, Katihar and Purnea have gone to the Congress kitty while the RJD will contest from Banka and Bhagalpur," Bihar unit RJD president Ram Chandra Purvey told reporters here.

Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav and Shailesh Kumar alias Bulo Mandal, both sitting MPs of the RJD, have been fielded by the RJD from Banka and Bhagalpur respectively, Purvey said.

The Congress candidates for the three Lok Sabha seats are — Mohammad Javed from Kishanganj; Tariq Anwar from Katihar and Uday Singh @ Pappu Singh from Purnia. 

Congress announced the names after a meeting of the party's central election committee was held in New Delhi. 

The opposition 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar on Friday had announced its seat-sharing formula for the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state, half of which will be fought by Lalu Prasad's RJD and nine by Congress.

As per the formula, Upendra Kushwahas RLSP would field candidates in five while former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhis HAM(S) and Mukesh Sahnis VIP will be fielding their candidates on three seats each. The Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases in Bihar. 

(With inputs from PTI)