RJD Patriarch Steps In Amid Family Turmoil
Rashtriya Janata Dal patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav has officially addressed the escalating public conflict between his children, describing it as an "internal family matter" that will be resolved within the household. The veteran politician's intervention comes amid growing tensions following the party's disappointing performance in the recent Bihar Assembly elections.
Lalu made these comments during a crucial meeting of RJD legislators where his younger son, Tejashwi Yadav, was unanimously selected as the leader of the legislative party. The former Chief Minister of Bihar assured party members that the situation would normalize soon and urged them to maintain focus on party activities rather than family disputes.
Election Setback Triggers Family Conflict
The RJD suffered a significant electoral setback, with the party managing to secure only 25 out of over 140 seats it contested in the 243-member Bihar Assembly. This represents a dramatic decline from their 2020 performance when the party won 75 seats.
The RJD-led Grand Alliance could only manage 35 seats in this year's state election, while the rival NDA coalition secured a commanding 202 seats. This poor performance appears to have exacerbated existing tensions within the Yadav family.
The situation reached a boiling point when Lalu's daughter, Rohini Acharya, announced her decision to step away from politics through emotional social media posts. She expressed feelings of being "pushed aside" and "worthless" while alleging humiliation, abuse, and threats from within the family.
Family Members Weigh In on the Situation
Rohini Acharya maintained that she has always enjoyed the blessings of her parents, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, and stood by her account of the events surrounding the family feud. Her public outburst against Tejashwi Yadav on November 15 followed simmering tensions that had been building for some time.
Meanwhile, Lalu's other daughter and Patliputra MP, Misa Bharti, attempted to redirect media attention toward NDA promises rather than family matters. "These things happen in families and get settled through talks," she told reporters, emphasizing the need to focus on political issues rather than personal conflicts.
The RJD, which ruled Bihar between 1990 and 2005, has previously shared power with Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) during 2015-2017 and 2022-2024. The current family discord presents another challenge for the party as it seeks to rebuild after the electoral defeat.
