Patna: As the results of the Bihar Assembly elections were declared, it became increasingly clear that internal discord within the family of former chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi has significantly weakened their political influence. A combination of controversies surrounding the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch, family disputes, and ongoing legal battles has shaped the political climate of the 2025 Bihar elections and adversely affected the party’s vote share.
During the campaign, current RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and his elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav held separate rallies, effectively splitting the party’s support base at a critical moment.
The Lalu Family Rift
The controversy surrounding the renaming of Tejashwi’s wife Rachel Godinho to Rajshri Yadav resurfaced earlier this year after Union Minister Giriraj Singh publicly questioned it. The family tensions deepened in May when Lalu Prasad expelled Tej Pratap from the RJD for six years.
Tej Pratap’s strained personal life also drew public attention. After his marriage to Aishwarya Rai in 2018, reports emerged of a long-term relationship with a woman named “Anushka Yadav,” sparking further conflict. The controversy prompted Tej Pratap to launch a new party in August named Jan Shakti Janata Dal. Earlier, a 2018 wedding reception incident—where over 7,000 guests allegedly vandalized VIP areas and looted utensils—had already attracted nationwide criticism.
In September, Lalu’s daughter Rohini Acharya unfollowed both her father and Tejashwi on social media, signalling further rifts. Tejashwi’s close advisor, Sanjay Yadav, was also accused of exerting excessive control over party decisions, adding to the internal friction.
Corruption Cases and Legal Troubles
Meanwhile, multiple cases involving the Lalu family are still under CBI investigation. These include the decades-old fodder scam, the IRCTC hotel tender case, and the “land-for-jobs” scam linked to railway appointments during Lalu’s tenure as Union Railway Minister.
In October, a chargesheet was filed against Lalu, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi in the IRCTC case under sections relating to corruption and criminal conspiracy. A list of 12 witnesses was submitted in November. The BJP and JD(U) used these cases effectively during the campaign, portraying the RJD as a fractured and tainted political force.
Impact on Electoral Performance
In key constituencies such as Mahua and Raghopur, candidates supported by Tej Pratap further split the RJD’s traditional voter base, indirectly boosting NDA candidates. By fielding candidates in 43 seats, Tej Pratap weakened the party’s hold over its core Yadav support, raising serious questions about the RJD's internal cohesion.
As a result, many in Bihar believe that the political future of the Lalu family now hinges on resolving their personal differences as much as on electoral strategy.
.png)
The opinions posted here do not belong to 🔰www.indiansdaily.com. The author is solely responsible for the opinions.
As per the IT policy of the Central Government, insults against an individual, community, religion or country, defamatory and inflammatory remarks, obscene and vulgar language are punishable offenses. Legal action will be taken for such expressions of opinion.