Tej Pratap Yadav Questions Tejashwi and Rahul Gandhi’s Leadership

Tej Pratap Yadav, national president of the Janshakti Janata Dal, has publicly criticized his brother, Tejashwi Yadav, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioning their status as true leaders of the people. His remarks come in response to recent posters placed outside the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) office in Patna, which labeled Tejashwi as the “Bihar Ka Nayak” or “Hero of Bihar.”

In a pointed statement, Tej Pratap, who was expelled from the RJD earlier this year, emphasized that genuine leadership stems from independent accomplishments. He stated, “If they can achieve something on their own, only then can one consider them as ‘Jan Nayak’.” This declaration reflects a growing rift within the family and the party, as Tej Pratap asserted that historical leaders such as Karpoori Thakur, Lohia, Ambedkar, and Mahatma Gandhi truly embody the term ‘Jan Nayak’.

Tej Pratap did not hold back in his criticism of both Tejashwi and Rahul, highlighting that their recognition as leaders is overshadowed by their father, Lalu Prasad Yadav, the RJD chief. He remarked, “Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav are under the shadow of Lalu Prasad Yadav. We will accept them as people’s leaders when they achieve something on their own.”

In a show of confidence, Tej Pratap declared, “I am not under the shadow of Lalu Prasad. I have the blessings of the poor people of Bihar and the youth here, and we are moving forward with those.” His words reflect a determination to establish his own identity and leadership among the electorate.

The internal dynamics of the RJD have come under scrutiny, especially following comments from Abdul Bari Siddiqui, a senior RJD leader and close aide of Lalu Prasad Yadav. Siddiqui echoed Tej Pratap’s sentiments, stating that it will take time for Tejashwi to be recognized as a ‘Jan Nayak’. He noted, “Tejashwi has inherited Lalu Yadav’s legacy and is trying to fulfill the aspirations of the backward classes.”

Siddiqui reinforced that if Tejashwi continues to uphold the ideals and vision of Karpoori Thakur and Lalu Yadav, public recognition as a ‘Jan Nayak’ will eventually follow. This statement indicates that the path to leadership within the party is fraught with expectations and challenges.

As the political landscape in Bihar continues to evolve, the contrasting views among these prominent figures signal deeper ideological divides within the RJD and its future leadership. The comments from both Tej Pratap and Siddiqui highlight the complexities of political family dynamics, legacy, and the quest for individual recognition in a region deeply influenced by historical political figures.