- Tejashwi Yadav offered to step down as Leader of the Opposition after RJD’s defeat
- Lalu Prasad insisted he continue leading the party in the Assembly
- Tejashwi defended close aide Sanjay Yadav amid allegations from sister Rohini Acharya
- Senior leaders expressed full support to Tejashwi during the review meeting
GG News Bureau
Patna, 18th Nov: Taking responsibility for the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) heavy defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections, Tejashwi Yadav initially declined to continue as Leader of the Opposition. However, he agreed to stay on after party founder Lalu Prasad Yadav firmly directed him to lead the organisation inside the House, sources said.
At a review meeting held on Monday, the 36-year-old leader expressed his desire to work only as an MLA, saying he was accountable for the party’s performance. The RJD, which emerged as the single-largest party in 2020, has been reduced to just 25 seats — a drop of 50 constituencies from its previous tally.
His offer to step down was rejected by senior leaders, while Lalu Prasad insisted that Tejashwi remain the face of the party in the Assembly. Tejashwi reportedly said he was handling party affairs under his father’s instructions and had put in full effort during the campaign despite the outcome.
The meeting also saw Tejashwi defending his trusted aide and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Yadav, who has been dragged into the family controversy triggered by his sister Rohini Acharya. She has accused Sanjay Yadav of isolating her from the family and influencing key decisions. Her public outburst came after the party’s defeat, where she claimed Tejashwi and his aides did not want to take responsibility.
Tejashwi, however, told party leaders that targeting Sanjay Yadav for the electoral setback was unfair. Considered one of the closest confidants of the RJD leader, Sanjay Yadav is believed to have played a central role in campaign planning and candidate selection. His proximity to Tejashwi has been a point of friction in the family, with Tej Pratap Yadav earlier alleging that he was prevented from speaking to his brother because of Sanjay.
Amid rising tensions, Lalu Prasad is learnt to have stepped in, describing the matter as an “internal family issue” that would be resolved privately. Senior leaders at the review meeting reaffirmed their support for Tejashwi and said they continue to stand firmly with him as he leads the party through its biggest electoral setback in recent years.
