Patna: A day after the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) suffered a major electoral setback in Bihar, party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav’s daughter Rohini Acharya announced that she is quitting politics and “disowning” her family. Her statement has triggered a fresh wave of turmoil within the influential political clan.
Rohini held Sanjay Yadav, RJD MP and close aide of Tejashwi Yadav, responsible for her decision. “I’m quitting politics and I’m disowning my family… This is what Sanjay Yadav and Rameez had asked me to do, and I’m taking all the blame,” she said on Saturday, in an emotionally charged message.
Her announcement comes just a day after the RJD secured only 25 seats in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, despite contesting over 140 seats. The outcome pushed the party to third position, marking one of its worst performances in recent years.
The internal strife within the Yadav family has now deepened. Earlier this year, Rohini’s brother Tej Pratap Yadav was expelled from both the party and the family following a controversy linked to a social media post where he claimed to be in a relationship. The episode revived discussions about his personal issues, including his divorce proceedings with Aishwarya Rai, granddaughter of former Chief Minister Daroga Rai.
Following his expulsion, Tej Pratap launched his own outfit, the Janshakti Janta Dal (JJD), and contested from Mahua Assembly constituency. His attempt at a political comeback failed, as he finished third behind Sanjay Kumar Singh of the LJP (Ram Vilas), who secured a decisive victory with 87,641 votes and a margin of 44,997. The RJD candidate Mukesh Kumar Raushan stood second.
Meanwhile, the NDA rode a sweeping mandate, winning 202 seats, securing a three-fourths majority in the State Assembly. The BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 89 seats, followed closely by the JD(U) with 85. Other NDA partners also registered strong performances.
The Mahagathbandhan, comprising the RJD, Congress and Left parties, suffered notable losses across the State. Even Jan Suraaj, led by Prashant Kishor and touted as a potential disruptor after an extensive grassroots campaign, failed to open its account.
Rohini’s decision marks a dramatic turning point for the RJD’s first family, coming at a moment when the party is grappling with internal conflicts and diminished political influence in Bihar.
