In Bihar, the ‘dahi-chura’ feast held on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, observed every year on 14 January, often signals possible realignments in political forces.
This year, the unusual gathering of top political leaders at the feast hosted by Lalu Prasad Yadav’s elder son and Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD) president, Tej Pratap Yadav, created ripples across political and media circles in Patna.
RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav was the first to arrive at the feast held at Tej Pratap Yadav’s Patna residence on Wednesday. Extending greetings on Makar Sankranti, he said the festival symbolises harmony and that everyone should participate in it. When asked about Tej Pratap, Lalu Yadav said he had only good wishes for him.
Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha, JD(U) executive president Sanjay Jha, Nitish Kumar’s cabinet colleagues Vijay Chaudhary and Ashok Chaudhary, Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) chief Pashupati Paras, along with several other leaders, also attended the feast.
However, Tej Pratap Yadav’s mother, Rabri Devi and younger brother Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, remained absent.
In the Bihar Assembly elections, neither Tej Pratap Yadav nor any candidate from his party managed to secure a victory. However, his growing proximity to NDA leaders has indicated a shift in his political stance, fuelling speculation about his closeness to the BJP. The participation of several key leaders at his residence further sent distinct political signals.
Adding to the political buzz, Tej Pratap Yadav offered Tejashwi Yadav the merger of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) with the JJD.
Speaking to the media, he described the RJD, without naming it directly, as a “party of Jaichands” (traitors). He also claimed that the JJD is the real party of Lalu Prasad Yadav and said that Tejashwi Yadav should merge the RJD with it.
Following these remarks, Bihar’s political temperature soared.
A ‘dahi-chura’ feast was also organised at the residence of Bihar minister Ratnesh Sada. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and JD(U) MLA Shyam Rajak attended the event.
During an interaction with the media, Shyam Rajak extended an offer to Jan Suraaj Party leader RCP Singh, stating that if Singh wished to return to the JD(U), he would be welcomed.
Once a close confidant of Nitish Kumar, Singh had launched his own political party, Aap Sabki Awaz. Ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, he merged the party with the Jan Suraaj Party. However, in recent days, Singh has been praising Nitish Kumar, giving rise to speculation that he may be seeking a return to the JD(U).
RLJP chief Pashupati Kumar Paras also hinted at a possible political realignment in the new year. Referring to Makar Sankranti, he said, “All planetary influences have ended. From today, a new equation will be formed. Those who were scattered within the family will unite. Bihar politics will take a new turn.”