"We will try to give the minorities maximum representation. It will be more than what was given in the past," Sagar Rayka, All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary, told IANS.

But Rayka, who is AICC secretary in charge of Bihar, did not say if minorities in the state will be given tickets according to the size of their population.

According to the 2001 census, minorities comprise over 16 percent of Bihar's population.

Elections to the 243-member Bihar assembly will be held in six phases beginning Oct 21.

Congress leaders said the screening committee has finalised recommendations for the first three phases of polls and the central election committee, headed by party president Sonia Gandhi, will meet soon to take a final decision on the candidates.

Party leaders from Bihar said they were apprehensive about the effect the Sep 24 verdict in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid row in Ayodhya would have on the party's prospects in the Bihar polls.

"I am apprehensive as there might be attempts by political parties to reap electoral benefits," a senior Bihar Congress leader said on condition of anonymity.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court is expected to give its verdict on title suits concerning the Ayodhya dispute Sep 24.

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