The aftermath of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections has not only reshaped the state’s political landscape but also shaken the foundations of one of its most influential political families—the Yadav clan. As the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) absorbed the shock of its worst electoral performance in years, winning only 25 of the 243 seats it contested, internal fault lines within party supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family burst dramatically into public view. What started as whispers of disagreement soon erupted into a full-blown feud, culminating in the explosive announcement by Lalu’s daughter, Rohini Acharya, that she would leave politics altogether after facing what she described as humiliation, abuse, and threats from within her own family.

Her decision has triggered heated commentary from leaders across the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), who have directly or indirectly pointed fingers at Lalu’s younger son and RJD’s chief ministerial face, Tejashwi Yadav. Several NDA figures have alleged that Tejashwi, already burdened with the responsibility of the party’s electoral failure, has also become increasingly unpopular within the Yadav family itself, leading to the escalation of tensions that pushed Rohini to a breaking point.

Rohini’s public outburst, shared through a series of emotional social media posts, painted a picture of a woman deeply wounded by those she trusted most. She spoke of being ostracised, belittled, and assigned the blame for electoral outcomes she had little to do with. Her words instantly sparked widespread debate across Bihar’s political circles, which were still processing the magnitude of RJD’s defeat and the NDA’s sweeping victory with 202 seats, giving the ruling coalition a commanding three-fourths majority.

Among the most vocal critics was BJP leader Nitin Nabin, who, while acknowledging it as an internal family matter, did not hold back from pointing to the larger political implications. According to him, the situation within the Yadav household is symptomatic of a deeper crisis in the RJD, a crisis intensified by what he described as Tejashwi’s declining credibility within both the party and the family. Nabin argued that Lalu Prasad Yadav’s strategy of placing multiple family members in political roles has backfired, creating a complex web of interpersonal rivalries and conflicting ambitions. In his view, if Tejashwi cannot maintain unity within his own household, it raises legitimate questions about his ability to lead society or inspire confidence among the broader electorate.

Bihar Minister Ashok Chaudhary also weighed in, characterising the developments as deeply unfortunate for a party already reeling from its electoral collapse. Though careful not to politicise the matter excessively, Chaudhary emphasised that the turmoil underscored a worrying state of affairs within a family long considered the nucleus of RJD’s political machinery. He described the situation as sad and avoidable, especially given the size and influence of the Yadav family in state politics.

More pointed criticism came from BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who alleged that Rohini had been made a scapegoat for RJD’s electoral disaster. According to Pal, responsibility for the defeat rested squarely on Tejashwi Yadav as the party’s face and decision-maker, yet those around him—including his close aide Sanjay Yadav—attempted to shift the blame onto Rohini. Pal argued that asking a sister to assume accountability for the party’s poor performance was both unfair and deeply painful, contributing to her anguished decision to step away from politics and even distance herself from her family. He framed the episode as evidence of leadership failure, pointing out that those unable to manage family relationships should not expect to manage societal responsibilities.

Dr Guru Prakash Paswan, another BJP leader, echoed similar sentiments, identifying the incident as part of a broader internal crisis within the RJD. He acknowledged that while family disputes are normally private, political life blurs such boundaries, pushing every conflict into the public arena. Paswan observed that the Yadav family had already been grappling with internal tensions, citing earlier instances involving Tejashwi’s elder brother, Tej Pratap Yadav. He suggested that the sequence of public outbursts and accusations reflects a deeper structural issue within the party—an inability to reconcile conflicting loyalties, egos, and political strategies. According to him, with the party now facing an existential threat after the electoral drubbing, RJD must urgently redefine its direction and leadership if it hopes to survive.

The silence from the RJD leadership and the Yadav family following Rohini’s allegations has added to the intrigue and speculation. No official statement has been issued, nor has Tejashwi personally responded to the charges implicating him or his aides. This vacuum of communication has only intensified public curiosity, with political analysts debating whether the family is attempting to contain the damage or whether deeper fissures have made a united response impossible.

Observers note that Rohini Acharya has long been one of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s most devoted daughters, admired for donating a kidney to her father and often seen as one of his staunchest supporters. Her abrupt withdrawal from politics, therefore, carries symbolic weight. It sends a message that even those closest to the heart of the RJD are no longer insulated from the disarray that appears to have engulfed the party.

The crisis comes at a particularly vulnerable moment for the RJD. Once considered the unquestioned champion of social justice politics in Bihar, the party now faces sharp scrutiny about its relevance, leadership structure, and vision. The Mahagathbandhan’s crushing defeat has left its supporters demoralised and its leadership looking directionless. With the NDA consolidating overwhelming power in the state assembly, the RJD’s challenges are no longer limited to electoral strategy but extend deeply into the personal dynamics that shape its political future.

As Bihar watches the unfolding developments closely, one thing is clear: the feud within the Lalu Yadav family has become a political event in itself, reflecting not only the personal turmoil of its members but also the larger struggles of a party at a crossroads. Whether the RJD can navigate this crisis, rebuild trust, and redefine its leadership remains to be seen. For now, the dramatic exit of Rohini Acharya and the allegations of internal abuse have exposed the fragility within a family once seen as the backbone of Bihar’s most influential political dynasty.