Patna: A fresh controversy has gripped Bihar politics after a photo of Sanjay Yadav, Rajya Sabha MP and close aide of Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, went viral on social media. The image, showing Sanjay in the front seat of Tejashwi’s vehicle during the Bihar Adhikar Yatra, has reignited simmering tensions within the Lalu Prasad family and sparked heated debate online.
Traditionally, the front seat of the Yadav family cavalcade has been viewed as a symbol of authority, occupied by either Lalu or Tejashwi himself. When a Facebook post criticised Sanjay for “usurping” the space reserved for the party’s top leadership, it was shared by Tejashwi’s sister, Rohini Acharya, without comment — a move widely interpreted as a sign of disapproval.
The controversy comes amid longstanding opposition to Sanjay Yadav within the family. Tejashwi’s elder brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, has repeatedly likened Sanjay to “Jaichand,” a symbol of betrayal in Indian political discourse, urging his younger sibling to keep his distance. Misa Bharti, another sibling and Rajya Sabha MP, has also voiced unease with Sanjay’s influence.
Sanjay, born in Mahendragarh, Haryana, has long been regarded as Tejashwi’s political shadow. Their friendship dates back to their cricketing days, with Tejashwi bringing him into politics in 2015. Despite his low public profile, Sanjay has wielded significant clout behind the scenes and was elevated to the Rajya Sabha by the Rashtriya Janata Dal, bypassing several senior leaders.
The episode has added to the political drama surrounding the Bihar Adhikar Yatra, launched by Tejashwi to highlight public grievances and challenge the ruling NDA. But with family divisions playing out in public, analysts suggest the RJD faces as much turbulence within its own ranks as it does from its rivals in an election year.
