RJD MLA’s sparks row with allegation of ticket sale to outsiders ahead of Working Committee meet

After suffering a crushing defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections 2025, top Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders will meet for the first time at a special session of the Working Committee on Sunday in Patna, where Tejashwi Yadav is expected to be nominated as the party’s National Executive President.

However, on the eve of the Working Committee meeting, party’s decision-makers faced severe criticism from MLA Bhai Virendra who blamed the leadership for the poll debacle.

Advertisement

In a video clip gone viral on social media platforms, the RJD MLA from Maner is heard accusing party leadership of “selling tickets to outsiders.” “There are leaders in our party who are socialists only for the namesake. As long as such people remain in politics and tickets are distributed on their instructions, the party will meet the same fate that our party is facing today,” he contended.

Bhai Virendra reportedly made this statement while addressing a party gathering. However, only a portion of his full speech is in circulation on social media, raising speculation about rebellion against the party.

When contacted, the RJD leader rejected the allegations of rebellion against the party. However, he said he still stands by his statement that there are leaders within the party who are “selling everything.” He said the party must get rid of such leaders. “The sooner the party frees itself from them, the better it will be.”

Clarifying his remarks, Bhai Virendra asked, “How will the system function if votes are treated like a commodity, and someone beats the drum claiming ‘I am the king’?”

He asserted that his intention was not to weaken the party, but to steer the organisation in the right direction.

The RJD suffered a humiliating defeat in the Assembly elections, being reduced to just 25 seats. It would be interesting to see what message Tejashwi Yadav gives to party leaders at the Working Committee meeting on Sunday.

Party sources said that there is near-consensus on the proposal of Tejashwi Yadav’s appointment as the National Executive President of the RJD.

The meeting may also see major reshuffles in the party organisation, beginning with replacement of RJD state president Mangni Lal Mandal and the party’s principal general secretary Abdul Bari Siddiqui. New leaders may be given responsibilities at the state and national levels.

In addition, action may be considered against the leaders who allegedly engaged in internal sabotage during the recent Assembly elections.

Tejashwi Yadav will have to take action against about 300 leaders and workers, based on the report submitted by RJD state president Mangni Lal Mandal. The report was prepared after review meetings with party leaders on grass root level.