Lalu Prasad hands over the legacy, Tejashwi becomes RJD’s Working President

Tejashwi Yadav was unanimously appointed as the National Working President of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) at an important meeting of the party’s National Executive held in Patna on Sunday.

RJD National General Secretary Bhola Yadav made the proposal to appoint Tejashwi Yadav as the National Working President. After detailed deliberations, all delegates and senior leaders approved it unanimously.

Advertisement

Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad, his wife and former Bihar CM Rabri Devi, MP Misa Bharti and other senior leaders and delegates present at the meeting welcomed the decision.

Presenting Tejashwi Yadav with his letter of appointment, Lalu said that even without holding a formal post, Tejashwi had done commendable work for the party and the people. He expressed confidence that Tejashwi would perform even better with his new responsibility. Lalu Prasad appealed to all leaders and party workers to strengthen the organisation and fight unitedly to ensure victory in the upcoming elections.

In his maiden address as the RJD’s National Working President, Tejashwi launched a sharp attack on the central government and opposition parties. He said that neither he nor his party would ever bow down, just as Lalu Prasad never did.

Tejashwi alleged that after winning the 2015 Assembly elections, he was falsely implicated in cases as part of a conspiracy. He said that at the time to which the cases relate, he was a minor, yet he was targeted due to a political vendetta.

Taking aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that one must either bow down to him or fight against him. In a sarcastic remark, he added that some people had chosen to bow down to him, but the RJD would never do so.

Tejashwi said that a transparent electoral system is essential to strengthen democracy, and on this issue, the RJD would raise its voice from the streets to Parliament.

The RJD National Executive passed a resolution pledging to launch a nationwide campaign demanding that elections be conducted using ballot papers instead of EVMs.

Ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, the National Executive had authorised both Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav to take all major decisions related to the Assembly polls. However, Tejashwi is now empowered to take all policy, strategic, and political decisions independently. With this formal announcement, Tejashwi Yadav has got the party’s complete command.

Considering Lalu Prasad’s declining health and advancing age, this decision had been long anticipated.

By handing over the reins to Tejashwi Yadav, the RJD has sent a clear signal that the party will now enter the political arena with youthful leadership and a fresh approach. This change will not only infuse new enthusiasm among party workers but will also speed up the party’s decision-making process.

Misa Bharti said, “It is a huge responsibility. I believe all leaders will cooperate in advancing this responsibility. All workers will also cooperate in this.”

However, Lalu Prasad’s daughter Rohini Acharya has strongly criticised the decision. In a post on X, she stated: “In a way, this marks the conclusion of a glorious innings of a giant of politics. Congratulations on the coronation of the ‘prince’— the puppet of those who practice flattery and the so-called ‘gang of infiltrators’.”