RJD has very clearly split into Tejashwi and Tej Pratap factions

The tussle between the two sons of Lalu Yadav – Tejashwi and Tej Pratap – is increasing and, this might lead to the collapse of the party soon. Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder and more colourful brother of the two, has accused Sanjay Yadav, the confidante of Tejashwi Yadav, of not allowing him to meet the younger brother.

“I had come to meet Tejashwi. As soon as we started talking, Sanjay Yadav interrupted in the middle and took Tejashwi away. Who is he to come between two brothers?” said Tej Pratap Yadav.

Tej Pratap is also not pleased with the state party chief Jagadanand Singh, who earlier replaced the chief of the party’s student wing Akash Yadav, a close aide of Lalu’s elder son with Sanjay Yadav. When informed that Tej Pratap is not content with the decision, Jagadanand said, – ‘who is Tej Pratap Yadav’.

“He (RJD Bihar President Jagdanand Singh) thinks that it is his party. The Party constitution was not followed. Why was no notice issued to our student leaders? He should also ask before taking any decision. I am also Lalu Yadav’s son. By saying ‘Who’s Tej Pratap Yadav’, is he trying to blackmail us? They just want to break our ‘Krishna-Arjun Jodi’,” said Tej Pratap.

Jagadanand Singh has the backing of Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, but he always had tough equations with Tej Pratap Yadav. 

Tejashwi Yadav criticized Tej Pratap for not respecting the decision of Jagadanand Singh, and said, “Tej Pratap Yadav may be my elder brother but our parents have raised us with the culture that we should respect elders. No matter what, indiscipline is not okay. Indiscipline within the party causes trouble. Tej Pratap should be disciplined.”

Read More: Tej Pratap Yadav takes another dig at Yadav clan and labels Tejaswi Duryodhan

Tej Pratap and Tejshwi Yadav are fighting since the younger was appointed as the successor of Lalu Yadav, and has threatened to float a new outfit earlier. At that time, Tej Pratap said that his younger brother was surrounded by sycophants who turned Tejashwi against him. Tej Pratap added, “Like the Pandavas had asked for just five villages, I had asked for just two seats. I never got an answer for that.” Therefore, Tej Pratap Yadav drew an analogy with the Mahabharata in order to elaborate upon the clash which has broken out within Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family. 

Tej Pratap has also made outlandish statements such as “I am the second Lalu Yadav in Bihar”. However, despite all his stupidities and statements, he enjoys massive popularity in the state. He may not be a smart tactician, which is the probable cause, why the leadership trusted the younger brother to lead the party, but in terms of popularity, the elder brother scores high. 

Read More: Lalu Yadav— a pariah in his own party

So, the aides of the elder brother want to see him on the top while the party leadership and Lalu Yadav trust the younger brother. It is becoming the reason behind the face-off, and the elder younger would float a new party very soon, leading to the collapse of two and a half decades old RJD.