Tejashwi Yadav named RJD working prez, family rift spills into open

Former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Tejashwi Yadav was on Sunday appointed the national working president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), a move the party described as the “dawn of a new era”, even as it triggered sharp political reactions from his sister Rohini Acharya.

She took to X to launch a scathing attack, calling the development “a sort of conclusion to the glorious innings of the political pinnacle man” and sarcastically adding, “congratulations to the flatterers and the ‘gang of intruders’ for the coronation of their ‘puppet prince’ controlled by their hands.”

The party hailed Tejashwi’s elevation as the “dawn of a new era”. It said, “Heartiest congratulations to the youth’s most beloved leader, Tejashwi Yadav, on the beginning of a new chapter in his people-dedicated politics.”

The 36-year-old leader, who has enjoyed two short tenures as the Deputy CM of Bihar and is currently the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, was named for the top party post at the RJD's national executive committee meeting in Patna.

RJD principal national general secretary Abdul Bari Siddiqui said, “It has full approval of Lalu Prasad, without whose assent no decision can be taken in the party.”

Earlier in the day, Rohini launched a direct attack on the current party leadership, alleging that its ideological core “Laluvad” is being systematically weakened by “intruders and conspirators” planted by fascist forces to destroy the party from within.

Without naming anyone, Acharya said, “Anyone who genuinely cares about carrying forward Lalu’s political legacy and ideology with pride will inevitably question those responsible for the party’s present deterioration.”

She emphasised that true loyalty to Lalu’s political legacy demands speaking out against individuals whose roles and intentions appear dubious, regardless of personal or political consequences.

Describing the current situation as “bitter, worrying and painful,” Acharya alleged that the party, “once known for fighting for the rights and dignity of the people, is now effectively controlled by elements working against its founding principles”. According to her, these forces have entrenched themselves in positions of power and have been alarmingly successful in advancing their agenda.

Acharya also criticised the party leadership for evading accountability, accusing those in charge of avoiding questions, refusing to provide factual answers and instead spreading confusion.