C P Thakur resigns as Bihar BJP chief

Party sources said Thakur decided to resign as he was unhappy with the decision to allot Digha Assembly seat in Patna to NDA ally JD(U) under the seat-sharing arrangement in the wake of the delimitation exercise.

Thakur had staked claim for the seat and wanted to field his son Vivek on a party ticket.

His resignation has dealt a blow to the ruling NDA in Bihar,where the first phase of assembly polls are scheduled on October 21,the sources added.

When contacted,BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister S K Modi said he was not aware of Thakur’s resignation.

“But one thing I admit at this stage — there has been discontent among party workers over the Digha seat,for which we have staked claim,” he said.

“As the seat has now gone to the JD(U) share,we will try to assuage the ruffled feelings of our partymen,” he said,adding the BJP had yielded the seat under “compulsion” during discussions over seat-sharing.

Modi,however,said the bond between BJP and JD(U) was “very,very strong” and: “We will continue to jointly campaign for candidates for securing a second term.”

Later talking to reporters,Thakur said,”My sentiments have suffered a jolt… I don’t command respect in the party.”

“What’s the point in holding the post of state president when my simple request to secure party nomination for my son has not been fulfilled,” Thakur asked.

He,however,said he would continue to serve the party and work for bolstering its poll prospects.