This ‘Ajatshatru’ Does Not Mind Becoming ‘Enemy’ Of Muslims And Yadavs

Devesh Chandra Thakur, the newly elected member of Parliament (MP) from Sitamarhi has said that he would not be helping Muslims and Yadavs in a personal capacity.

Speaking to people, Thakur remembered an incident when a Muslim man approached him for help. Thakur asked whether he had voted from Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) or not, to which the man responded in affirmative.

“If you had pressed arrow (Thakur's symbol) on the voting machine, you would have seen Narendra Modi, so you voted for RJD. In the same way, if I work for you, why should I not superimpose the face of RJD or Lalu Yadav on you?” said Thakur.

"Those from Muslim and Yadav communities who want to come, can come, have tea and sweets, but don't expect any help,” he added.

Devesh Chandra Thakur completed his law from ILS Law College, Pune and later began his political journey with the Maharashtra Congress. In his Maharashtra days, he worked closely with Vilasrao Deshmukh and Sushil Kumar Shinde, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and former Home Minister of India, respectively. He also owns a construction company in Mumbai.

Thakur has served as a member of the legislative council (MLC) from Tirhut Graduate between 2002 and 2024. Due to this streak as well as his soft-spoken nature, Thakur is termed as ‘Ajatshatru' (a person with no enemy) in Bihar. Between 25 August 2022 and 14 June 2024, he was chairman of Bihar legislative council.

According to Thakur, for the first time in life, he has taken such an approach. He says that during the last 20-25 years, in terms of personal benefits, people of Muslim and Yadav communities have gained most from him, despite that they did not show loyalty to him.

“If you have not voted for me because I did not do anything in your area, I harmed you or something else related to me, it's fine. But, if you don’t vote for me because you see Modi Ji’s face…. Did Modi Ji’s Jan Dhan Yojana keep anyone deprived? Did Modi Ji’s efforts to provide vaccines exclude people from any community?” said Thakur.

Meanwhile, Thakur’s comments have drawn varied reactions from different sections of the political spectrum. Mrityunjay Tiwari and Misa Bharti from RJD and Sudhir Kauntilya slammed the statement, while Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did the same in hushed tones.

Neeraj Anand, Janata Dal (United)(JD(U)) leader said that whatever Thakur said was based on his experience of working with people.

Meanwhile, Thakur has clarified that he will not discriminate against Yadavs and Muslims as MP, but won't help them in a personal capacity.