Nitish close aide quits as JD(U) spokesman

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's close associate Devesh Chandra Thakur, who had announced his intention to contest the upcoming election to Legislative Council as an Independent, today resigned as spokesman of JD(U).
Bihar JD(U) President Basishtha Narayan Singh told PTI that he received letter from Thakur and accepting his plea, he has relieved him from the post of spokesman.
Thakur, in his letter, said as he would be campaigning for his election to the Legislative Council as an Independent, he will not be able to devote time for the party, Singh said.
"I accepted his wish," he said.
Thakur, spokesman of the party and a known face on televisions, particularly English channels, had yesterday announced his decision to contest the Legislative Council election as an Independent.

According to reports here, Thakur, frequently seen standing beside the CM, is miffed over denial of a Rajya Sabha berth and the turning down of his request to contest the coming Lok Sabha elections on party ticket from Sheohar.

Shabir Ali, who was denied a re-nomination to Rajya Sabha recently, is tipped to contest from that constituency.
He has expressed his unhappiness, saying, "Mein pijra se bahar rahna chahta hu (I wish to live outside the cage)."
Thakur had served as a minister in Kumar's government earlier.
His distancing from the party and the Chief Minister follows similar actions by Shivanand Tiwari and bureaucrat-politician N K Singh, both of whom were denied re-nomination to Rajya Sabha.

On the campaign front, the Bihar JD(U) President said that the last of 12 "Sankalp rally" will be held in Patna district tomorrow.
JD(U), during its Rajgir convention, had decided to hold 12 "Sankalp rallies" and the last one would be held at Deedarganj in rural Patna tomorrow.
Chief Minister has been making three promises to people in Sankalp rallies: to fight against communal forces, to continue fight for special category status and education for both boys and girls.