RJD feels heat as NDA capitalises on Tej Pratap Yadav theatrics

Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of former Bihar chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, is turning out to be a “liability” for the party and his family.

His eccentric ways have usually been an embarrassment for the RJD as well as his family, and while most thought that filing for divorce within six months of marriage was the last straw, Tej proved them wrong by floating a separate front and fielding candidates against Mahagathbandhan.

On Monday, Tej floated “Lalu-Rabri Morcha”, a front within the party for people who had worked hard for the party and announced he along with four other candidates will contest the LS polls.

While Tej claims to have the blessings of his parents, an RJD insider said otherwise. “The party president (Lalu) is very upset as Tej refuses to reason out with anyone. Such stubbornness will not do well to the party, which is already having a hard time in keeping its alliance intact,” he said.

Tej’s complaint was that he had sought only two seats from his party and he was not granted even that. “Can a son not ask for just two seats?” he said. Also his estranged father-in-law has been given a ticket.

Even as the RJD is trying to sort out the matter, the NDA is trying to make most of it, sending feelers to Tej. “Giving ticket to his father-in-law was done to show him down,” said BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi.