India, Oct. 18 -- A total of 1,698candidates filed their papers for the crucial first phase of the assembly elections in Bihar as the chaotic nomination process for the 121 seats that go to the polls on November 6 closed on Friday with no clarity over a seat deal among the constituents of the Opposition Grand Alliance.

Leaders criss-crossed the state through the day as they rushed to home districts and subdivisional offices to submit their nomination papers after the INDIA bloc appeared to have secured some rough contours of an alliance at midnight on Thursday after days of squabbling. On the final day of nomination, 1,068 candidates filed nominations including Khesari Lal Yadav, Maithili Thakur and ministers Mangal Pandey, Prem Kumar an...