Patna (Bihar), June 24: As Lalu Prasad Yadav filed his nomination for the 13th consecutive term as Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) National President, political tensions in Bihar have flared up ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections.
Vijay Sinha Criticizes RJD’s Legacy
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha strongly criticised the move, targeting both Lalu Yadav and the party’s historical governance record.
“These are the disciples of Loknayak Jaiprakash Narayan ji who have tarnished democracy and the constitution… This RJD culture has ruined Bihar,” Sinha said.
“These people are not well-wishers of Bihar; they are the people who are ruining and defaming Bihar. RJD will never improve,” he added.
Lalu Yadav’s 13th Term: Symbol of Continuity or Controversy?
The nomination comes as Lalu Yadav, a former Union Minister and ex-Bihar Chief Minister, aims to extend his control over the RJD—a party he founded in 1997 after a split from the Janata Dal.
He was joined by his son Tejashwi Yadav, former Deputy CM of Bihar, who hailed his father as a “Messiah of the poor.”
“There is immense joy among the people… We believe we will taste success under Lalu ji’s leadership,” Tejashwi remarked.
Lalu has completed 12 terms as party president and has been at the helm of RJD for 28 years.
RJD Internal Elections Scheduled
The RJD is holding its internal party elections for both the national council and state executive. Voting is scheduled for July 5, and with Lalu running unopposed, his 13th term appears all but confirmed.
His daughter and RJD MP Misa Bharti confirmed the development, stating that officials would now handle the rest of the election process.
Bihar Gears Up for Crucial Assembly Elections
The developments come ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, due later in 2025. With key political realignments taking shape and leadership questions looming large, the RJD’s move to continue with Lalu at the top reflects a blend of loyalty, legacy, and political strategy.