Political Realignment in Bihar: Ex-RJD Leader Devendra Prasad Yadav Joins Prashant Kishore’s Camp

Patna: In a significant political shift within Bihar, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has faced another high-profile departure within the span of just five days. On 22 August, Shyam Rajak left the party, and now Devendra Prasad Yadav, a senior RJD leader and former national vice president, has also departed, joining Prashant Kishore’s Jan Suraaj on Tuesday. Yadav, a five-time MP from Jhanjharpur, is widely recognized for implementing the red card system in India to identify individuals living below the poverty line—a policy he spearheaded as a minister in the Deve Gowda government.

Yadav’s exit from the RJD comes after he was denied a ticket during the Lok Sabha elections, leading him to allege irregularities in the party’s ticket distribution. His move to Jan Suraj was facilitated by Prashant Kishore, who welcomed him into the party with open arms.

Prashant Kishore, the founder of Jan Suraaj, lauded Yadav as an “honest and true leader,” emphasizing that Yadav, along with his colleagues, is set to become a key figure in the party’s mission to reform Bihar’s political landscape. Kishore stated, “We are connecting every honest person and leader with Jan Suraaj. Jan Suraaj will include all those who want to contribute to changing the current system of Bihar. Today, lakhs of people are joining Jan Suraaj, this is the real strength and capability of our movement.”

Yadav, expressing his satisfaction with joining Jan Suraj, took the opportunity to criticize those he termed as “so-called socialist leaders,” accusing them of nepotism by promoting their own kin while paying lip service to socialist ideals. He praised Prashant Kishore’s commitment to social equality, drawing parallels between Kishore’s vision and the foundational principles of socialism. “By joining Prashant Bhai, we are once again reviving socialism,” Yadav asserted, signaling his renewed commitment to the cause under the Jan Suraaj banner.