Patna: Just three days after the Bihar Assembly elections, the Rashtriya Janata Dal has officially appointed Tejashwi Yadav as the Leader of the Opposition. This decision was made during a legislative party meeting at Tejashwi’s residence on Polo Road in Patna, which included both winning and losing MLAs. The gathering addressed not only leadership matters but also strategies for moving forward following the electoral defeat. Prominent RJD figures, including party chief Lalu Prasad, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Jagdanand Singh, and influential leader Suraj Bhan Singh were present. Sources indicate that the meeting lasted nearly four hours, with open discussions about campaign shortcomings. It was characterized as serious and candid, with MLAs providing insights from the grassroots level.
Several leaders raised concerns about alleged irregularities during the election. RJD leader Ramanuj Yadav stated that discussions were straightforward and unscripted, confirming that Tejashwi was unanimously chosen as the Leader of the Opposition. He also mentioned that the potential for legal action regarding the election results was a topic of conversation, with plans to consult Grand Alliance partners before any final decision is made. MLA Alok Mehta reiterated claims of “rigging,” asserting that the election outcome did not accurately reflect the real support in the field. Bogo Singh, the RJD MLA from Matihani, made serious allegations, claiming that Rs 10,000 was distributed to sway voters.
He argued that the NDA’s standing had weakened during the campaign, but that votes were purchased by targeting Jeevika Didis. He called for the Election Commission to take accountability and address the reports of irregularities. According to party insiders, Tejashwi has specifically invited losing candidates to gain insights into what went wrong in various constituencies. These feedback sessions will cover topics like organizational weaknesses, local grievances, booth-level challenges, and ineffective communication of campaign issues. The review will also focus on candidate selection and ticket distribution to assess whether internal dissatisfaction influenced the results. Tejashwi Yadav is gearing up to lead the Opposition in the Assembly while simultaneously working to rejuvenate the party outside of it.
While the RJD has not officially declared a legal challenge, the meeting’s tone indicates a readiness for a prolonged political and legal struggle. For the time being, the party is concentrating on understanding its errors, addressing internal issues, and contesting what it views as an unjust election result.
