Nitish releases 242 candidates list, claims giving adequate representation to all sections

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday released a list of 242- candidates for the upcoming Bihar state Assembly polls, saying the Mahagathbandhan has given adequate representation to all sections of society.

"We have given adequate representation to all sections of society while selecting the candidates. There are 16 percent of candidates from the general category, backward classes constitute of 55 percent, and SC and ST constitute 16 percent," Kumar told media here after releasing the list.

"The minority community has 14 percent representation," he added.

Kumar also said that all parties have decided their candidates democratically, and added that there was no difference of opinion on the seat sharing within the Mahagathbandhan.

"We had taken the decision that we will be releasing the list of the candidates unanimously. That is why we are announcing it today in the presence of the leaders from all parties," he added.

The Election Commission has announced a five-phase polling for assembly elections in Bihar beginning on October 12.

The results of the elections will be declared on November 8.

The date of notification of the first phase will be September 16, 2015. The date of polls for Phase 2 will be October 16.

The date of polls for Phase 3 will be October 28. The date of polls for phase 4 will be November 1. The date of polls for phase 5 of the Bihar polls will be November 5.