Lalu Yadav Backs Tejashwi to Lead RJD Amid Family Feud and Poll Setback.
Reeling from a humiliating electoral defeat and internal family tensions, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav on Monday publicly reaffirmed his support for son and former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav.
Addressing newly elected RJD MLAs in Patna, Lalu praised Tejashwi’s efforts for the party and asserted he would continue to lead it forward. “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 said, aiming to restore confidence after the party’s crushing defeat.
Tejashwi Acknowledges Shock at Poll Results
Speaking at the meeting, Tejashwi admitted the RJD had not anticipated such a poor performance. “We did not expect such a result,” he said, adding that he had collected feedback from every seat, especially those lost narrowly. He questioned MLAs about possible discrepancies between ground assessments and EVM counts, seeking clarity on the reasons for the losses.
RJD Suffers Major Setback
The INDIA bloc was routed by the NDA, which won 202 of Bihar’s 243 seats. The RJD managed only 25 of the 143 seats it contested, prompting internal introspection and intensifying a public family feud.
Family Feud Escalates
The crisis deepened after Lalu’s daughter Rohini Acharya launched a sharp attack on Tejashwi and his aides, accusing them of humiliating her despite her donating a kidney to their father. In a series of emotional posts, she described herself as “cursed” and announced she was quitting politics, warning others against sacrificing for their parents if they have a son. She blamed Tejashwi’s aides, RJD MP Sanjay Yadav and strategist Rameez, for the party’s electoral collapse.
The situation further fueled speculation after a video emerged showing three of Lalu’s other daughters — Rajlakshmi, Ragini, and Chanda — leaving Patna for Delhi.
Political Fallout
NDA leaders seized on the family turmoil to question Tejashwi’s leadership. 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 Rohini’s treatment “unfortunate” and warned that the public would not tolerate disrespect towards Lalu or Rohini.
Meanwhile, senior RJD leaders, including Lalu and Rabri Devi, have remained largely silent. Rabri Devi’s residence, usually a hub of political activity, was unusually quiet on Monday as the party grapples with both electoral defeat and internal turmoil.
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