Patna, Oct 10 (IANS) An independent candidate was shot at and seriously injured on Saturday in Bihar's Madhubani district and a time bomb was recovered near the gate of an out-of-favour BJP legislator who is contesting as independent candidate, police said.

The incidents took place ahead of the first phase of voting on Monday.

Sunil Jha, who is in the fray as an independent candidate from Jhanjharpur assembly seat in Madhubani district, was shot at by unidentified criminals during robbery at his residence. Jha was hospitalised.

"It could be a part of political rivalry during the election. We are investigating into the case from all angles," a police official said.

In the second incident, a time bomb was planted near the office of Rashmi Verma, who was denied ticket by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and was contesting as an independent from Narkatiaganj assembly seat. A threat letter asked her not to contest the polls.

"We have defused the time bomb and began an investigation," a police official said.

Last week too she got a threat letter asking her not to contest the upcoming Bihar assembly polls as a rebel candidate, prompting her to lodge a complaint with the Sikarpur police station.

The letter, according to her, also threatened that if she goes ahead and contests the polls, it will not be good for her children.