Laloo, 24 ministers on RJD candidates’ list

PATNA, JANUARY 30: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Laloo Prasad Yadav and 24 ministers in the Rabri Devi Cabinet are on the list of candidates released by the party for the second phase of Assembly elections in Bihar.Yadav, who also figured on the list of party candidates for the first phase of elections to be held on February 12, will contest two seatsDanapur and Raghopur. Elections to 108 constituencies will be held in the second phase on February 17.

The ruling party has fielded all the legislators who have been accused of complicity in various scams which rocked the state during the recent past and even accommodated a sitting legislator with dubious credentials who was expelled from BJP. Three women Babiyana Waski (Borio), Bhanu Reoti Todu (Littipara) and state RJD spokesperson Usha Sinha (Chandi) also figured on the list, released by party spokesman Shivanand Tiwary.

Eight seats have been left to CPI(M) and three to SJP(R) as per an electoral pact, Tiwary said adding decision on three remainingseats was yet to be taken.

The party refused ticket to Minister of state for Food and Supply Ram Lakhan Mahato from Dalsinghsarai and instead nominated his nephew Ram Padarath Mahato. The Minister had resigned earlier for being denied the ticket. Laloo Prasad Yadav will file his nomination from the Raghopur seat on Monday, the last day of filing of nominations for the second phase.