A New Twist in Bihar Politics: Tej Pratap Yadav’s Independent Run from Mahua
Patna: In a dramatic political twist ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, former minister Tej Pratap Yadav has announced that he will contest independently from Mahua—his traditional stronghold in Vaishali—after being expelled from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) by his father and party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Confirming the buzz during a press conference in Patna on Saturday, Tej Pratap declared, “I am contesting from Mahua as an independent candidate. The people—especially the youth—are with me. Their love and support are my strength.”
The move formalizes what Tej Pratap had hinted at earlier: that if denied a ticket by the RJD, he would still stake his claim from Mahua, a constituency he called his “karmabhoomi.” Tej Pratap had first won from Mahua in 2015 and later served as a minister in Nitish Kumar’s cabinet until 2017.
Currently, Mahua is held by RJD MLA Mukesh Kumar Roshan, adding weight to the speculation of an internal turf war.
A Shift in Colours, Symbols – and Tone
Marking a clear departure from RJD imagery, Tej Pratap showed up at the presser in a yellow cap, flanked by supporters in matching yellow gamchhas, replacing the party’s traditional green.
“Yellow is the colour of Lord Krishna. Our new flag will carry both green and yellow—we respect both,” he explained, hinting at a symbolic rebranding of his political journey.
Last week, Tej Pratap had unveiled his own campaign outfit, “Team Tej Pratap Yadav,” at a rally where supporters waved a new green-and-white flag. Though this has triggered talk of a possible new party, he has so far refrained from making it official.
No War With Tejashwi—But a Subtle Dig
Addressing the inevitable question about his relationship with younger brother and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap said, “If Tejashwi wants to join, he’s welcome. My doors are open.” However, he couldn’t resist a dig at party insiders, adding, “Some Jaichand must have told you to ask that.”
Bihar Gears Up for High-Stakes Poll
With Assembly elections expected in October–November, Tej Pratap’s independent plunge adds a fresh layer of complexity to Bihar’s already crowded political battlefield. The primary fight is expected between the NDA (JD(U), BJP, and LJP-Ramvilas) and the Mahagathbandhan (RJD, Congress, and Left parties).
As the Mahua battlefield heats up, all eyes will now be on whether Tej Pratap’s solo run becomes a spoiler for the RJD—or a surprise gamechanger.
