Patna: The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has launched a major crackdown on rebellion within its ranks, expelling 27 leaders, including sitting MLAs and former legislators, for anti-party activities amid escalating tensions ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections.
Those expelled include Parsa MLA Chhotelal Rai, Women’s Wing State President Ritu Jaiswal, MLAs Mohammad Kamran, and former legislators Ram Prakash Mahato, Anil Sahni, Saroj Yadav, and Anil Yadav. The party’s disciplinary committee issued a statement on Monday confirming the expulsions, effective for six years, citing violations of party discipline and support for rival candidates.
Among the expelled, Ritu Jaiswal, who was leading the party’s women’s wing, is contesting as an independent candidate from Parihar, where the RJD has fielded Smita Purve, daughter-in-law of former state president Ramchandra Purve. Similarly, Mohammad Kamran, the sitting MLA from Govindpur in Nawada, has been removed from the party after he decided to contest independently against the official RJD candidate, Purnima Yadav, wife of former MLA Kaushal Yadav.
In another high-profile move, Parsa MLA Chhotelal Rai was expelled after switching to the Janata Dal (United) and contesting on its ticket. The RJD has fielded Dr Karishma Rai, granddaughter of former chief minister Daroga Rai and cousin-in-law of Tej Pratap Yadav, from the seat.
The list of expelled leaders also includes Akhshay Lal Yadav, Ram Sakha Mahato, Avneesh Kumar, Bhagat Yadav, Mukesh Yadav, Sanjay Rai, Kumar Gaurav, Rajeev Kushwaha, Mahesh Prasad Gupta, Vakil Prasad Yadav, Poonam Devi Gupta, Subodh Yadav, Surendra Prasad Yadav, Neeraj Rai, Anil Chandra Kushwaha, Ajit Yadav, Moti Yadav, Ramnaresh Paswan, and Ashok Chauhan.
With over 40% of sitting MLAs denied tickets, discontent within the RJD has intensified, leading to multiple defections and independent candidacies. The party is contesting 143 of the 243 Assembly seats, with friendly contests expected in several constituencies shared with alliance partners Congress and VIP.
