Tejashwi will take RJD forward: Lalu Yadav's support for son amid family feud

Reeling from a humiliating electoral setback and engulfed in an escalating family feud, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Monday witnessed its patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav publicly reaffirm his support for son and former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav.

Addressing the meeting of newly elected RJD MLAs in Patna, Lalu Prasad said Tejashwi had “worked hard for the party” and would “continue to lead in the days ahead”, effectively stamping his approval on Tejashwi’s leadership at a time when the family is gripped by internal discord.

“Tejashwi ne party ko aage badhaya hai. Aage bhi wahi kaam karenge (Tejashwi has taken the party forward. He will continue to do so),” Lalu told legislators, attempting to restore confidence within the ranks after the INDIA bloc’s crushing defeat.

TEJASHWI ADMITS SHOCK AT POLL RESULTS

Speaking at the same meeting, Tejashwi Yadav admitted that the RJD did not anticipate such a poor performance. “We did not expect such a result,” he said, adding that he had taken feedback “from every seat”, especially those lost by narrow margins.

He reportedly questioned MLAs about whether there were discrepancies between their assessment of ground support and the EVM vote count. “Was there a difference between the EVM votes and your assessment? Is there any evidence?” he asked, seeking clarity from local leaders.

INDIA BLOC ROUTED; RJD SLUMPS TO 25 SEATS

The INDIA bloc was decimated by the NDA, which swept 202 of Bihar’s 243 seats. The RJD managed to secure only 25 out of the 143 seats it contested, triggering intense introspection within the party and igniting a public family meltdown.

ROHINI’S EXPLOSIVE OUTBURST DEEPENS CRISIS

The crisis sharpened after Lalu’s daughter Rohini Acharya launched a blistering attack on her brother Tejashwi and his close aides, accusing them of humiliating her despite donating a kidney to her father.

Claiming she had been “cursed” for giving a “dirty kidney” and was treated as an “orphan”, Rohini said she was quitting politics and cutting ties with the family. In a series of emotional posts, she warned married women “never to save your father if he has a son”.

She blamed Tejashwi’s aides, RJD MP Sanjay Yadav and party strategist Rameez, for the party’s collapse in the polls.

A day later, a video of three of Lalu’s other daughters, Rajlakshmi, Ragini and Chanda, leaving Patna for Delhi went viral, adding to speculation about widening rifts within the Yadav household.

NDA SLAMS RJD

Sensing political opportunity, NDA leaders targeted Tejashwi over the turmoil in his family. “This is a family matter, but it is before the public now,” JD(U) state chief Umesh Kushwaha said. “If someone cannot maintain harmony in his own family, how will he provide leadership to the state?”

BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal called the treatment of Rohini “unfortunate” and said, “If Lalu or Rohini are disrespected, the people will not tolerate it.”

RJD LEADERSHIP SILENT

Amid the chaos, senior RJD leaders, including Lalu and Rabri Devi, have largely refrained from commenting publicly on the feud.

Rabri Devi’s residence, usually a hive of political meetings, remained unusually quiet on Monday, with party workers keeping their distance as the organisation struggles with both electoral defeat and personal turmoil.

- Ends

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