Patna: Bihar’s political landscape has been shaken ahead of the 2025 assembly elections as RJD’s senior leader and star campaigner, Dr Anil Kumar Sahni, resigned from the party and joined the BJP on Wednesday.
Sahni, a former MP and state legislator, cited the party’s neglect of backward-class leaders and the growing influence of nepotism as reasons for his departure. The resignation, submitted to RJD state president Mangani Lal Mandal, has sparked intense discussion in political circles, coming just days before the crucial polls.
In a Facebook post, Sahni shared images of his resignation letter and a photograph with Mandal, writing: “Today I resign from all positions and primary membership of the Rashtriya Janata Dal.” According to Sahni, despite being a star campaigner, he was repeatedly sidelined in ticket distribution and other key organisational decisions affecting backward-class leaders.
Media reports suggest that Sahni had been unhappy with RJD for several months, with his grievances intensifying following the recent allocation of tickets. His switch to the BJP was marked by the presence of several senior party leaders, indicating a strategic boost for the NDA ahead of the elections. Sahni commands significant influence among backward-class communities, and his move is expected to impact voter dynamics in key constituencies.
This resignation adds to a series of challenges for RJD, which recently faced further setbacks including the disqualification of candidate Shweta Suman from the Mohania seat, reflecting growing turbulence within the party as the state heads to the polls.
