Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad reaffirmed on Thursday that his son Tejashwi Prasad Yadav must become the next Chief Minister of Bihar “at any cost,” calling on party workers to remove the BJP-RSS and Nitish Kumar from power. Addressing the inaugural session of the RJD State Council meeting at Gyan Bhavan in Patna, Lalu laid out a clear political message ahead of the 2025 assembly elections.
“This time, the poor, Dalits, backward classes, and minorities must be given their due participation in power,” Lalu said. “Only those who work for the party on the ground will be considered for tickets in the upcoming elections.”
The meeting saw the formal introduction of Manganilal Mandal as the party’s new state president, replacing Jagdanand Singh, whose work was also acknowledged. “We invited Manganilal ji and now he has been entrusted with a big responsibility,” Lalu said, handing him the official certificate of appointment.
Expressing gratitude to the cadre, Lalu recalled his own long leadership tenure. “I have been your president for 28 years. I thank you all for your trust,” he said.
Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, addressing party leaders at the same event, warned against sycophancy in ticket distribution. “There’s no need for Ganesh Parikrama,” he said, urging workers to focus on building public support in their constituencies. “Tickets will be given by the national president based on work, not lobbying.”
Tejashwi also outlined key welfare promises if the Mahagathbandhan comes to power, including 200 units of free electricity, a Rs 2,500 monthly stipend for women under the proposed Maa-Behan Yojana, and implementation of a new domicile policy.
Sharpening his attack on the BJP-JDU government, Tejashwi cited recent violence outside his residence. “Today, shots are being fired outside the house of the Leader of the Opposition. Is this not Jungle Raj?” he asked. “Before 2005, had this ever happened in front of any opposition leader’s house?”
State president Manganilal Mandal also criticised the government for what he termed betrayal of backward classes. The RJD meeting was attended by former chief minister Rabri Devi, MPs, MLAs, and other senior leaders. Party election officer Tanveer Hasan presented details about the internal elections, noting that Manganilal Mandal was elected unopposed as state president.
