Patna: The Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) ticket distribution process has spiralled into chaos, with scenes of anger and despair playing out outside party chief Lalu Prasad’s residence in Patna. Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday took a swipe at the RJD leadership, urging Lalu Prasad not to “open the gate” lest party workers “tear his kurta too”, after a disgruntled aspirant shredded his own clothing in protest.
For several days, ticket seekers and their supporters have been camping outside the former chief minister’s residence, demanding party nominations for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Tensions peaked on Sunday when Madan Shah, a hopeful for the Madhuban constituency, broke down after being denied a ticket. In a dramatic display, Sah tore his kurta and accused senior party figures of corruption and betrayal.
Shah alleged that Sanjay Yadav, a close aide of Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, took Rs 2.7 crore from him in exchange for a ticket. “Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has become very arrogant. He doesn’t talk to workers or meet anyone. Everything is being handled by Sanjay Yadav,” Shah claimed, accusing the RJD of awarding the ticket to a “BJP agent” instead. In emotional distress, he collapsed to the ground, crying that his family would be left destitute.
Commenting on the uproar, Giriraj Singh mocked the RJD leadership, saying, “Tickets are being bought and sold in the Grand Alliance. The workers outside are so furious they’re tearing their kurtas. I would request Laluji not to open the gate—or they’ll tear his kurta too.”
The minister further likened the situation to a local saying: “The donkey eats the crop and the ploughman gets beaten.” He added that the ongoing rebellion within the RJD reflected a deeper crisis of trust among party workers, many of whom have accused Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and his aides of running the party like a closed circle.
