Lalu to Keep Tejashwi in Shadow with 13th Term as RJD Chief
Rahul Gandhi Lalu Prasad
Lalu Prasad Yadav Files Nomination for 13th Term as RJD National President
By AMIT KUMAR
PATNA, June 23, 2025 – Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav filed his nomination papers today for a record 13th consecutive term as the party’s National President. He will be elected the RJD president unopposed on July 5, said party leaders.
Ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the 78-year-old RJD patriarch veteran leader reached the party headquarters with family members. He was accompanied by his son and Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav, wife Rabri Devi, daughter Misa Bharti, and senior party leaders. Festive atmosphere prevailed in the party office.
The RJD patriarch has already occupied the post of the party chief for 28 years now. Political observers noted that Lalu Prasad Yadav is not yet ready to pass on the responsibility to his son Tejashwi. The RJD has projected Tejashwi Yadav as the party’s CM face. Yet, he is not accepted ready to take the responsibility of the RJD chief, said Patna-based political observers.
Tejashwi Yadav, speaking to reporters, hailed his father as the “Messiah of the poor.” The RJD said that no other candidate filed nomination papers for the post by the 2 PM deadline. The formal announcement is set for July 5.
With Lalu Prasad set for the 13th term, spotlight is on the family’s hold on the party. Recently, he had suspended his younger Tej Pratap Yadav from the party. But his two daughters are actively involved in state politics.
Lalu Yadav founded the RJD in 1997. The party had split from the Janata Dal. “Lalu Yadav is still the face of the RJD. The core vote base still identifies with him. Also, he’s a senior voice in the party who strategizes during elections and also mentors his son and daughters in politics,” said a senior RJD leader.
The nomination event, however, saw the notable absence of former Bihar RJD President Jagdanand Singh. He has been a long-standing friend of Lalu Prasad Yadav. His absence gave rise to speculation of internal rifts due to his reported differences with Tejashwi.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slammed the RJD, saying that the process of election for the post of the president was a sham.
Bihar gears up for a high-stakes election. The BJP accuses the RJD of a family-owned party. Recently, Tejashwi sought to counter by alleging that family members of the leaders of the ruling NDA were being appointed as members of commissions in the state.
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