Before elections, Lalu's son Tej quits RJD's student wing
What's the story
Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of Lalu Prasad Yadav, quit from the post of chief of RJD's student wing on Thursday, saying he was not naive and knew exactly where everyone stood. Since RJD forged an alliance with Congress in Bihar, Tej relegated himself to shadows while his younger brother Tejashwi did heavy-lifting. But on Thursday, Tej dropped a bombshell. Here's what happened.
Resignation
I am not naive: Tej wrote in his resignation tweet
In a tweet, written in Hindi, Tej announced his decision. The loose translation of the tweet is as follows: I am resigning from the post of RJD's student wing. Naive are those who think I am naive. I know exactly who stands where. Reports claimed, Tej wanted his candidates Angesh Singh and Chandra Prakash to be fielded from Sheohar and Jehanabad respectively.
Details
Tej clearly hopes to build pressure on party through resignation
Though RJD hasn't announced candidates for the seats, Tej's surprise decision hints the party wasn't keen on considering his picks. Notably, Tej was supposed to address the press in the afternoon but the meet was eventually called off after he didn't show up. His resignation may be seen as a move to build pressure on the party to meet his demands.
Statement
Nothing wrong in demanding tickets for my candidates: Tej
About his decision, Tej told a channel that he asked father Lalu and brother Tejashwi to consider his candidates as they were youngsters. "Yes, I want two persons of my choice as candidates and there is nothing wrong in it. It is not Tej Pratap or Misa or Tejashwi who form the party. Youths should get adequate representation in the party," he said.
Marriage
Apparently, Tej doesn't want his estranged father-in-law to get ticket
Tej brushed off rumors that he might float his own party. Reports claimed that Tej was upset after RJD mulled the idea of fielding Chandrika Rai from Chhapra. Rai is the father of Tej's estranged wife Aishwarya and he apparently opposed the idea. In fact, when Tej filed for divorce he failed to get the support of his family which is why he left home.
Ego battle
Tej and Tejashwi don't share best terms
Tej's dramatic moves, from "going missing" to dressing up as Lord Krishna during festivals and his stint in Bhojpuri movies, have spelled trouble for his political career. While he kept himself busy with other things, Tejashwi handled the party's reins and emerged as a face of opposition in Bihar. Tejashwi is largely seen as Lalu's political heir which led to an ego-battle between both sons.
Looking back
Last year, Tej claimed he would slay opponents
In December last year, Tej made a surprise visit at RJD's party office in Patna, Bihar, to send a message that "he was ready" for his opponents. Likening 2019 elections with Mahabharata, Tej called himself Krishna and said Tejashwi was Arjuna. He claimed both of then would "slay" BJP together. But with his resignation, Tej has shown his younger brother doesn't enjoy his support.