JD-U, RJD to contest elections together

Patna, July 20 (IANS) Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) will contest by-elections to 10 assembly seats in Bihar together, it was announced Sunday.

Ending days of speculation, JD-U state president Vashsisht Narain Singh made it clear that his party will contest the polls "along with the RJD to defeat the BJP".

"Seat sharing will be decided by the leaders of both parties. It is not a big issue," he said. "Our target is to defeat communal forces in Bihar."

On Saturday, the Election Commission said the by-elections will be held Aug 21.

The 10 constituencies are Narkatiaganj, Rajnagar, Jale, Chapra, Hajipur, Mohiuddinnagar, Parbatta, Bhagalpur, Banka and Mohania.