Internal discord within the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) came to the fore on Monday after the party fielded Sunil Singh as its candidate for a Bihar legislative council seat. The controversy erupted after senior RJD leader Shivchandra Ram resigned as national president of the party’s SC/ST wing, alleging denial of a ticket.
Rohini Acharya questions candidate selection
Reacting to the development, RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s daughter Rohini Acharya questioned, without naming anyone directly, how a person accused of extortion and making derogatory remarks about women could be selected as a candidate. She also asked whether the party faced a shortage of dedicated and loyal workers.
Sunil is considered a close associate of the Lalu family. In 2020, Lalu had nominated him to the legislative council.
Shivchandra Ram resigns
Former minister Shivchandra announced his resignation from all party posts during a press conference in Patna. Visibly emotional, he broke down while speaking about the developments.
“I have spent the toughest and most painful moments of my life over the past three or four days. God forbid anyone else should have to face such a life. I haven’t even been able to sleep at night for the last four days,” Shivchandra said.
Rohini’s social media post
Rohini later posted on X, “How was someone made a candidate — a person whose very nature is defined by factionalism, sabotage, betrayal, and deceit; who colludes with opponents and extorts money by claiming proximity to the leadership and who, to project a false sense of authority, makes cheap and indecent remarks about sisters and daughters in front of party workers and office-bearers — entrusted with the responsibility of advancing the fight for social justice and the betterment of the party, a task originally assigned by Lalu ji?
“Has there been a shortage of dedicated and loyal workers and netas? It is precisely because of such individuals that there is resentment and discontent among workers and supporters who have stood firm for years, and the damage caused by such people is already evident.
“There are numerous dedicated, respected, and grassroots-level senior and young netas from Yadav, Dalit, backward, and deprived communities who have stood steadfastly with the party since its inception. Overlooking such people is a matter of serious concern and is certainly not in the party’s interest.”
