Patna, Feb. 14: JD(U) MLC Devesh Chandra Thakur quit as party spokesperson today, a day after sharing his plans to part ways with the party.

The JD(U)’s effort to convince Thakur proved futile. Party president Bashishtha Narayan Singh told The Telegraph: “I met Thakur at my home today where he (Thakur) told me about his decision to quit the party post. He gave this in writing, saying he would be busy campaigning for the next two months after deciding to contest the Council poll as an Independent and would, thus, not be able to give time to this post.”

Thakur had earlier said he was ready to contest the Legislative Council election as an Independent MLA.

Singh further said: “As he has decided to contest as an Independent, it is obvious he will leave the party sooner or later. His Council term is already going to end in the next one or two months. And, by the way, it is very normal practice during election time. People go here and there; they leave and join another party according to their wishes. I do not think it is an issue that merits debate.”

Thakur had expressed his disappointment after the JD(U) did not consider him for a Rajya Sabha seat, something he was expecting from the party. In reply to a question asked by a reporter at the Assembly building, Devesh said: “I have friends in all political parties, so why should I confine myself to one? However, I do not plan to join any other party at present. I just want to concentrate on the upcoming Council election.”

He is not the only one choosing to go his own way. Also today, JD(U) MLC Mahachandra Prasad Singh expressed his desire to contest the upcoming general election from Munger, presently occupied by Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lallan Singh. “I have already conveyed to the party and chief minister that I want to contest the Lok Sabha election from Munger. I don’t know how others will feel,” Mahachandra said. In a letter to Nitish today, Mahachandra highlighted the plight of sugarcane farmers from East Champaran who were not getting adequate price for their produce. He also said middlemen were looting farmers.

Revenue and land reforms minister Ramai Ram, too, expressed his desire to contest the Lok Sabha election from Hajipur, presently occupied by JD(U) Ram Sundar Das. Speaking while emerging from the Assembly, he said: “Three months back, I had informed the chief minister about my desire to contest the Lok Sabha election from Hajipur; there should be no confusion on this. Even Nitishji had assured me a ticket in this regard. No other candidate can get the Hajipur ticket, except me,” Ram said.