Nitish close aide Devesh Chandra Thakur to contest as Ind

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's close associate Devesh Chandra Thakur today decided to contest the Legislative Council election as an Independent.
"I have decided to contest the coming Legislative Council election as an Independent," Thakur, spokesman of the party and a visible face on Televisions particularly English channels, told reporters outside state Assembly premises.
Though Thakur refused to disclose reason for his unhappiness and avoided making any adverse comments on CM, sources within the party suggest his keenness to contest Lok Sabha polls from Sheohar has been turned down. His claim has been not been entertained in favour of Shabir Ali, who was denied re-nomination to Rajya Sabha recently by the party.

"Mein pijra se bahar rahna chahta hu (I wish to live outside the cage)," he said over his decision to walk out of JD(U) and contest as Independent.
Thakur, who served as a minister in Kumar's government earlier and could be seen standing by his side, said he has social relations and friends in all the parties "so I why shall I confine myself with one party."
Asked if he would join BJP and fight coming Lok Sabha elections, Thakur said "right now I am concentrating on Legislative Council polls and will take a decision over these things when time comes."

Thakur, who was seated with the Chief Minister in his Assembly chamber before coming out and talking to media, refused to make any adverse comments on Kumar.
"Its not my habit to criticise with a person whom I have spend time...My personal and social relations with Kumar will stay in future too," Thakur said.
Thakur's moving away from the Chief Minister follows similar act by Shivanand Tiwari and bureaucrat-turned politician N K Singh after the last two were denied re-nomination to Rajya Sabha and asked to fight Parliamentary elections which they declined.