Hajipur: As the Bihar Assembly elections progress, the political turmoil within the Lalu family is becoming more and more apparent. Now, a contest is brewing for the Raghopur seat in Vaishali district that has captured everyone’s attention. RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav’s elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav’s party, the Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD), has fielded Prem Kumar Yadav as a candidate against him. This decision is being considered a major setback not only politically but also from a family perspective.
Janshakti Janata Dal candidate Prem Kumar Yadav, while staking his claim for Raghopur, said that he is a local resident of the constituency, while Tejashwi Yadav is an outsider. He alleged that Tejashwi has weak public contact and is disconnected from the ground. Prem Kumar Yadav said in a press conference, “We come from among the people. I used to be in Tejashwi Yadav’s party, but I am no longer there because ordinary workers are not heard there. Tejashwi is surrounded by money power and sycophants.”
He also said that when it becomes difficult to reach a leader, the public distances themselves from him. Citing the simplicity of Lalu Prasad Yadav, Prem Kumar Yadav said, “Laluji’s door was always open; he met everyone, but today circumstances have changed.” Prem Kumar said, “Raghopur will no longer be a symbol of family politics, but will become the voice of the people.” It is said that Prem Kumar Yadav has been an active figure in social work and among the youth at the local level. He has long been a leader in protests regarding employment, education, and farmers’ issues.
By fielding a candidate against his brother in this seat, Tej Pratap Yadav has once again brought the internal feud within the RJD family into the spotlight. The Raghopur seat has been a traditional stronghold of the Lalu family, where Rabri Devi and later Tejashwi Yadav have won. Consequently, Tej Pratap’s move is being seen as a political “rebellion within the family.” There is also discussion within the party that if the contest in Raghopur is close, it could have a psychological impact on the politics of Bihar as a whole.
