In a landmark move for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav was officially appointed as the party’s National Working President on Sunday, January 25, 2026. The announcement was made during the party’s national executive meeting, signaling a definitive generational shift in one of India’s most prominent regional parties.
- Formal Handover: RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav handed over the appointment letter to his younger son in the presence of former CM Rabri Devi and senior party leaders.
- New Role: This is a newly created position within the RJD, intended to give the 36-year-old Tejashwi full authority over organizational strategy and day-to-day operations while his father remains the National President.
- Line of Succession: Party spokespersons described the move as the “dawn of a new era,” formally establishing Tejashwi as the sole heir apparent to Lalu Prasad’s political legacy.
Political Context: The 2025 Election Debacle
The elevation comes at a challenging time for the RJD, following a severe drubbing in the November 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.
- Seat Count: The RJD-led Mahagathbandhan saw its seat tally plummet from 75 in 2020 to just 25 seats in 2025.
- Performance: While the RJD remained the single largest party by vote share, the NDA (led by the BJP and JD-U) secured a commanding majority, returning Nitish Kumar to power.
Deepening Family Tensions
The leadership reshuffle is overshadowed by a public and bitter feud within the Yadav family:
- Rohini Acharya’s Jibe: Hours before the meeting, Lalu’s daughter Rohini Acharya posted a scathing critique on social media. She alleged that “infiltrators and conspirators” now control the party and are working to destroy “Laluism.” She urged Tejashwi to “look into his own collar” rather than avoiding accountability for the election loss.
- Tej Pratap’s Rebellion: Tejashwi’s elder brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, was expelled from the RJD for six years in mid-2025 following “irresponsible behavior.” He has since formed his own outfit, the Janshakti Janta Dal (JJD), but failed to win his seat in the recent elections.
- Sisterly Solidarity: Reports suggest that four of Lalu’s other daughters have supported Rohini, allegedly leaving the family residence in solidarity against the current party leadership.
What This Means for RJD
| Shift | Old Structure | New Structure (2026) |
| Command | Decentralized among senior leaders and family | Centralized under Tejashwi Yadav |
| Advisory | Traditional socialist veterans | Close-knit group (Sanjay Yadav, Rameez Khan) |
| Focus | Caste-based mobilization (M-Y) | Digital outreach and youth-centric “Vision India” |