JD(U) announces first list of 57 candidates for Bihar polls, several ministers among nominees    

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) on Wednesday announced its first list of 57 candidates for the upcoming assembly polls, with several ministers like Vijay Choudhary, Sharwan Kumar and Madan Sahni among nominees.

Ministers Ratnesh Sada and Maheshwar Hazari also featured on the list.

The list also includes turncoats like Shyam Rajak, who returned to the party, quitting RJD about a year ago, and don-turned politician Anant Kumar Singh, who had filed nomination papers from the Mokama assembly seat on Tuesday.

JD(U) state unit president Umesh Kushwaha has also been fielded from Mahnar.

Kushwaha also filed his nomination papers on Tuesday.

Madan Sahni has been fielded from the Badaurpur assembly seat, Ratnesh Sada from Sonbarsa, Maheshwar Hazari from Kalyanpur, Vijay Choudhary from Sarairanjan, and Shrawan Kumar from Nalanda.

Elections to the 243-member assembly will be held in two phases, on November 6 and 11.

The votes will be counted on November 14.