The upcoming Bihar Assembly elections see Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition and RJD leader, facing challenges from multiple fronts. Besides the BJP and JDU, his elder brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, recently expelled from the RJD, poses a growing threat. Tej Pratap’s moves could potentially undermine Tejashwi’s electoral strategy.
The political rift between Tej Pratap and his family started after the former Bihar minister was ousted from the party for six years on May 25, due to a controversy involving a woman. Although, he later claimed that his social media account was hacked.
Lalu Prasad distanced himself from Tej Pratap due to his ‘irresponsible behavior’. Following his expulsion, Tej Pratap accused individuals of plotting against him and his younger brother Tejashwi, and subsequently unfollowed his sisters on social media.
Tej Pratap has announced that he will contest the elections through an alliance. He declared a coalition with several small parties: Bhojpuria Jan Morcha (BJM), Vikas Vanchit Insan Party (VVIP), Sanyukt Kisan Vikas Party (SKVP), Pragatisheel Janata Party (PJP), and Wajib Adhikar Party (WAP).
While the allied parties’ voter base is limited, political experts believe this could still hurt Tejashwi Yadav. Tej Pratap champions social justice, rights, and reform in Bihar. While he doesn’t directly attack Tejashwi, he accuses opponents of scheming against him.
He invites the RJD and Congress to join the alliance but rejects a partnership with the BJP, citing ideological differences. He says social justice is his focus and that he understands how to achieve it.
It appears Tej Pratap Yadav is following in the footsteps of Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM. When AIMIM couldn’t join the Mahagathbandhan, it began forming a Third Front in Bihar, but Tej Pratap announced his own alliance beforehand, making for a more competitive election.
There’s the NDA (Nitish Kumar and BJP), the Mahagathbandhan (Congress, RJD, Left parties, and Mukesh Sahani’s party), Tej Pratap’s alliance, and a possible Fourth Front by AIMIM.
Bihar AIMIM president Akhtarul Iman says his party will announce its separate alliance after August 15th, with details revealed later. In past elections, AIMIM allied with various parties like Rashtriya Lok Samata Party.
With opposition votes coming from Muslims, Dalits, and backward classes, multiple alliances could fragment votes, hurting the Mahagathbandhan and helping the BJP and Nitish Kumar.
Some analysts downplay Tej Pratap Yadav’s alliance, given his political maturity and his father’s disapproval. Tejashwi Yadav, however, has a strong base with the support of established parties like the Congress and Left parties, who will boost his confidence.