Ritu Jaiswal said PM Modi and the BJP were promoting the philosophy of Antyodaya, which looks forward to ensure that government benefits reach the last person in society.
Image: IANS
In a major setback for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar, the party’s women’s wing state president Ritu Jaiswal on Tuesday, May 26, officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The ceremony was held at the party’s state headquarters in Patna. Jaiswal joined the party in the presence of BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi and Bihar Revenue and Land Reform Minister Dilip Jaiswal.
Advertisement
Noting that her decision was driven by national interest, Jaiswal praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. She said that the party was promoting the philosophy of Antyodaya, which looks forward to ensure that government benefits reach the last person in society.
Advertisement
Acknowledging that her political move could trigger trolling on social media, Jaiswal said she was not afraid of backlash.
After joining the BJP, she even referred to several welfare initiatives like Ayushman Bharat scheme and asserted that it transformed access to healthcare for poor families by reducing financial fear during serious illnesses.
While addressing the event, Sanjay Saraogi slammed the RJD and claimed that several other Opposition leaders now wish to be a part of the BJP due to Prime Minister Modi’s popularity and leadership.
Ritu Jaiswal contested the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections from the Parihar seat on RJD ticket and narrowly lost to BJP MLA Gayatri Devi by 1,569 votes.
During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the RJD pitched her from Sheohar seat. At that time, she was defeated by JD(U) leader Lovely Anand.
In 2025 state elections, Jaiswal was reportedly denied ticket by the RJD and later contested independently from Parihar. She ended up getting more than 65,000 votes – finishing ahead of the RJD candidate.
Advertisement
