In a shocking incident and a major jolt to the BJP, it’s principal spokesman in Jharkhand Praveen Prabhakar, resigned from the party on Sunday, at a time when the state is undergoing polls.

Prabhakar, who was associated with BJP for the last five years, will now contest the Assembly elections from Nala on a National Peoples’ Party (NPP) ticket.

He was said to be unhappy with the ticket distribution in the state by the party.

“The nation was progressing on all fronts, but in Jharkhand, the aspirations of the people were being constantly snuffed. I dedicated all I had for the creation of Jharkhand (as a separate state) and will continue to fight all my life for its development. I have full faith that I will get the assistance and guidance of NPP leaders in this endeavour,” he told media.

He had been one of the founding members of the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) that fought 2014 Assembly election in an alliance with the saffron party.

Prabhakar added that he had learnt a lot from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief and Home Minister Amit Shah but in Jharkhand, the party needed to do some introspection.

Prabhakar joined the National Peoples’ Party (NPP), headed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. He was named its candidate from Nala, which will go to polls in the last of the five phases on December 20.

Welcoming Prabhakar in his party, Sangma said that he would help the NPP increase its footprint in Jharkhand and other states and thus “all would together help achieve the late Sangma’s dream”.

Meanwhile, an estimated 64.12% votes were cast in 13 constituencies of the Jharkhand Assembly where polling was held in the first phase on November 30, Election Commission of India officials said.

Polling was held on November 30 in Chatra, Gumla, Bishunpur, Lohardaga, Manika, Latehar, Panki, Daltonganj, Bishrampur, Chhatarpur, Hussainabad, Garhwa and Bhawanathpur constituencies.