Defence Minister George Fernandes, former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra, incarcerated RJD MP from Siwan, Mohammad Shahabuddin, rebel Bihar ministers, Purnmasi Ram and Dasai Choudhry and cricketer-turned BJP leader Kirti Azad were among 43 candidates who filed their papers for the second phase of poll for 17 Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar.
While Fernandes filed his papers from Muzaffarpur, Mishra filed his papers for Jhanjharpur Lok Sabha seat as Janata Dal (United) nominee.
Purnamasi Ram and Dasai Choudhry, who quit Rabri Devi Cabinet recently, filed their papers from Bagaha (SC) and Rosera (SC) seats as BSP and JD (U) candidates against the sitting RJD MP, Mahendra Baitha, who is now contesting the seat as an Independent after being denied party ticket, and Ramchandra Paswan of the Lok Janshakti party respectively.
Azad is contesting from Darbhanga Lok Sabha seat against RJD's Ali Asharaf Fatmi.
Congress MLC, Mahachandra Prasad Singh, is contesting from Maharajganj parliamentary seat as an Independent against sitting JD (U) leader, Prabhunath Singh.
With filing of nominations by 43 candidates, the total number of candidates for 17 Parliamentary constituencies going to poll in the second phase in Bihar on April 26 has risen to 70.