PATNA: Lalu Prasad Yadav, the ailing patriarch of the Yadav family and former chief minister of Bihar, addressed growing speculation over a public family feud, calling it an “internal matter” that would be “resolved within the family.” Speaking after the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) significant electoral defeat in the state assembly polls, he said, “I am there to deal with it,” signaling his intention to manage the discord personally.

The current family conflict primarily involves Lalu’s daughter, Rohini Acharya, 46, and his youngest son, Tejashwi Yadav, 36. Acharya, based in Singapore, had contested last year’s general election and lost, while Tejashwi leads the RJD as the leader of the legislative party. However, the rift has drawn in other siblings: three of Acharya’s sisters and her brother Tej Pratap appear to support her, while the eldest child, Patliputra MP Misa Bharti, 48, aligns with Tejashwi.

Political Context and Electoral Setback

The family feud has surfaced against the backdrop of RJD’s poor performance in this year’s state elections. The RJD-led Grand Alliance secured only 35 seats, while the rival NDA won a commanding 202 seats. The RJD itself fell from 75 seats in 2020 to just 25 this year. In this tense context, Tejashwi Yadav was unanimously elected as the legislative party leader on Monday. Lalu, despite his health limitations, reassured party leaders that the family issues would not undermine political focus and urged them to concentrate on party priorities.

Misa Bharti, present at the meeting, echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of addressing the NDA’s promises—such as the creation of 10 million jobs, ₹2 lakh assistance to Jeevika Didis, and Bihar’s industrial growth—over internal family disputes. She also refuted claims that Acharya was primarily motivated by family assets, noting that Lalu’s properties are under scrutiny in ongoing ED and CBI investigations. “At this hour, we are looking at how to strengthen the party,” she said.

Origins of the Family Rift

Rohini Acharya’s public outburst on November 15 was the culmination of a growing tension within the Yadav family. Her grievances reportedly began during the Bihar Adhikar Yatra, when she objected to Tejashwi’s advisor Sanjay Yadav occupying a prominent seat beside her brother. Following the RJD’s electoral loss, Acharya escalated her complaints, accusing Tejashwi and his aide Rameez Nemat Khan of “interference” and disdainful treatment. She announced that she was quitting politics and, in a dramatic statement, declared that she was disowning her family. Acharya also referenced a sensitive family matter, alleging that the duo had made disparaging remarks about her kidney donation to Lalu in 2022.

Tensions spilled into public protests, as RJD workers gathered outside the meeting venue on Monday, accusing Sanjay Yadav of “hijacking” the party’s internal functioning. Acharya left the Yadav family home in Patna on Saturday, followed by sisters Chanda Yadav, Ragini Yadav, and Hema Yadav on the subsequent day.

Sibling Reactions and Wider Family Dynamics

Tej Pratap Yadav, Lalu’s elder son, who had been expelled from the RJD on August 2, publicly criticized Tejashwi for disrespecting Rohini, warning that such behavior could “ruin our heritage.” After his expulsion, Tej Pratap formed the Janshakti Janata Dal and contested the state elections, but he failed to secure a seat. Lalu’s brother-in-law, Sadhu Yadav, also condemned Tejashwi’s “arrogance” toward Rohini, calling her treatment “unjust” and demanding the removal of allegedly disloyal aides.

The family feud has broader political implications. With Lalu’s health restricting his direct involvement in daily party affairs, this internal strife could exacerbate existing vulnerabilities in the RJD’s voter base, particularly the Muslim-Yadav constituency that forms a critical support pillar.

Political Reactions

BJP leaders have leveraged the internal discord to criticize the RJD and Lalu’s leadership style. Dilip Jaiswal described the feud as evidence of Lalu’s “patriarchal mindset,” despite Acharya’s personal sacrifice in donating a kidney to her father. Opposition leaders’ comments underline how family disputes have quickly become intertwined with political narratives, potentially affecting party cohesion and public perception.

Looking Ahead

While the electoral loss has triggered introspection within the RJD, Lalu Prasad Yadav remains firm in his commitment to manage both political and familial challenges. His statement—“I am there to deal with it”—suggests that he intends to mediate between Rohini and Tejashwi, restoring unity within the family while ensuring that party matters remain the priority.

As RJD attempts to regroup post-polls, balancing family dynamics and political strategy will be crucial. The coming weeks are likely to determine whether the internal conflict can be contained or whether it will further complicate the party’s efforts to regain lost ground in Bihar’s political landscape.