Patna witnessed a fascinating political drama unfold on Wednesday as Tej Pratap Yadav, the estranged elder son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, kept everyone guessing with his carefully orchestrated moves. The Janshakti Janata Dal president hosted a traditional 'chura-dahi' feast that became the centerpiece of his political maneuvering, leaving both the ruling NDA alliance and his own disapproving family in suspense.
A Day of Political Shuttling
Tej Pratap Yadav spent Tuesday shuttling between political camps in a display that kept observers on tenterhooks. He began his day firmly in NDA company, visiting the residence of BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha for the Sankranti celebrations. There, he mingled with senior NDA figures including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and another Deputy CM, Samrat Choudhary.
The gathering represented a significant political moment. Standing alongside Tej Pratap, Sinha made optimistic remarks about Bihar's future. "With positive energy, every Bihari will come together to advance the glory of Bihar," he told reporters. "We Biharis will excel in everything."
Keeping Everyone Guessing
When journalists directly asked whether Tej Pratap would join the NDA, Sinha offered an enigmatic response. He said the answer would become clear in the "coming days." Tej Pratap himself added to the intrigue with his own cryptic comment. "Pata chalega... Abhi kyon batana hai?" he said, keeping the media guessing about his intentions.
He attempted to frame his interactions with NDA leaders in cultural rather than political terms. "While political ideologies may differ, cultural ethos remain shared," he remarked. Many observers interpreted this as an effort to normalize his visible warmth toward NDA figures.
Evening Family Outreach
As night fell, Tej Pratap switched tracks dramatically. He paid a sudden visit to 10, Circular Road, the official residence of his mother Rabri Devi. There, he invited family members including his younger brother Tejashwi Prasad Yadav to his own Sankranti program.
Later in the evening, Tej Pratap took to social media to describe the family visit. "Today, I visited 10, Circular Road, sought blessings from the parents and invited them for the feast," he wrote. "At the same time, I also had the wonderful moment of playing with my dear niece Katyayani in my lap."
Political Invitations Extended
Over the past week, Tej Pratap has engaged in what many describe as a political outreach spree. He personally visited the residences of senior NDA leaders to invite them to his feast. Those receiving invitations included Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar, Legislative Council Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh, and several JD(U) ministers.
BJP leaders Ram Kripal Yadav and Dilip Jaiswal also received invitations, along with Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) leader Santosh Kumar Suman and Rashtriya Lok Morcha minister Deepak Prakash. Some NDA allies openly welcomed the possibility of Tej Pratap joining their coalition.
Background of Family Estrangement
Tej Pratap's relations with the RJD and his family deteriorated sharply last year. The trouble began in May when he publicly revealed an intimate relationship with a woman. Following the controversy, the RJD expelled him for six years, and the Lalu family publicly disowned him.
He made a brief, symbolic return to his mother's residence on January 1 this year to wish her on her birthday. That visit marked his first appearance at the family home since being disowned.
Governor Adds to Political Theatre
Adding another layer to the political drama, Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan attended the Sankranti feast at Sinha's residence earlier in the day. He acknowledged the festival's importance, saying, "This festival symbolizes the dynamism of life, where change occurs even without us realizing it."
The governor's presence at the NDA event added weight to the political significance of the day's gatherings.
Unclear Political Intentions
Political observers remain divided about Tej Pratap's true intentions. Some see his moves as signaling a serious political realignment, while others view them as another chapter in his long record of political flip-flops. His 'chura-dahi' diplomacy has certainly ensured that Bihar's political class remains firmly on edge.
Whether these maneuvers represent genuine political repositioning or merely theatrical gestures remains unclear. What's certain is that Tej Pratap Yadav has successfully captured political attention in Bihar once again, keeping both allies and family guessing about his next move.
