The mysterious Mr Devesh C Thakur

Politicians love kite-flying. And most of them are darn good at it, too. It’s a skill they develop early in their long, never-ending careers to understand which way the wind is blowing and, if need be, quickly adapt to the new political climate. Earlier this week, Devesh Chandra Thakur, JD(U) MP from Sitamarhi, sent a thought balloon drifting over the blue skies of Vaishali, hinting at a small meeting that the RJD candidate hadn’t been his only opponent in the recent Lok Sabha elections. He wasn’t sure if some of his own party members and alliance partners in BJP were secretly sharpening their knives. In other words, it’s The World vs Devesh Chandra Thakur. According to Devesh Chandra Thakur.

While his supporters got busy decoding his cryptic message, the 71-year-old ex-party spokesperson added that his electoral victory was all thanks to his personal relationship, work and reputation with voters for the last 25 years. And, then – and here’s the twist – Thakur gave a shout-out to Lalu Prasad Yadav, yes, the RJD patriarch of auricular hypertrichosis fame, for helping him win his first MLC poll in 2002! Cat plonked among pigeons, Thakur’s political messaging, in one stroke, has kept his supporters happy, his seat warm, and his boss – who knows a thing or two about airing grievances at opportune moments – guessing. Politics 101.