Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav is set to undertake a major organisational overhaul in Bihar following the party’s defeat in the Bankipur bypoll, with changes expected from the district level down to panchayat committees.
The RJD has dissolved all its organisational committees, including various party cells, district committees and panchayat-level committees. Before the dissolution, the party had around 43 district presidents across Bihar’s 38 districts, with some districts having more than one president.
According to party sources, around 20 former district presidents may not be reappointed. The proposed changes are expected to focus on younger leaders, clean public images, organisational commitment and local social equations.
Sources said leaders aged 60 or above are unlikely to be given major organisational responsibilities, while district presidents who have faced controversies or openly expressed dissatisfaction with the party leadership may also be replaced.
Three key criteria for new district presidents
Tejashwi Yadav is expected to consider three broad criteria while selecting new district presidents:
- Age: Leaders aged 60 or above are unlikely to be considered.
- Public image: Leaders with a clean image and without major controversies are likely to get preference.
- Youth and organisational experience: Mature and active younger leaders are expected to be given greater responsibility.
The final decision on the new district presidents has reportedly been left to Tejashwi Yadav.
Focus on broader social representation
The organisational restructuring is also expected to reflect the RJD’s attempt to expand its social base beyond its traditional Yadav-Muslim support base.
Before the committees were dissolved, 16 of the party’s 43 district presidents were Yadavs and seven were Muslims. Nine district presidents belonged to non-Yadav OBC and EBC communities, while six were from Scheduled Caste communities. Two belonged to upper-caste communities, one was from the Vaishya community and one from the Scheduled Tribe community.
Party sources said regional and social equations will be taken into account while selecting the new leadership. The objective is to strengthen the party’s “A to Z” social outreach by giving representation to different castes, communities and sections.
Around 20 former district presidents may be replaced
Although Bihar has 38 districts, the RJD had around 43 district presidents because some districts had more than one organisational president.
With all committees now dissolved, the party currently has no functioning district committees under the previous arrangement.
Party sources said around 15 former district presidents could lose their positions because of their age, while another five to six may be overlooked because of controversies or differences with the leadership.
Lakhisarai’s Kalicharan Das, for instance, had already resigned from the district president’s post citing his age.
Leaders facing controversies may be dropped
Former district presidents who were involved in controversies or had publicly shown dissatisfaction with the party leadership are also unlikely to return to their previous positions.
In Bhagalpur, Chandrashekhar faced controversy after a video purportedly showing him consuming alcohol went viral.
In Vaishali, an audio clip allegedly containing abusive remarks by Baijnath Singh Chandravanshi went viral during the election period, triggering opposition to his continuation.
In Siwan, Vipin Kushwaha had expressed dissatisfaction over ticket allocation and submitted his resignation. Although he later withdrew it after being persuaded by the party, sources said his limited activity during the election could work against his reappointment.
In Kishanganj, Anzar Naeemi was reportedly unhappy after the assembly election ticket went to the Congress quota.
What is the situation in other districts?
The organisational changes could also affect the status of several existing district presidents.
In Bhojpur (Ara), Birbal Yadav has served three consecutive terms, or around nine years, as district president and has been elected unopposed.
In Begusarai, Mohit Yadav has served two terms and has not faced significant controversy, according to party sources.
In Nalanda, Ashok Kumar Himanshu has completed two terms and is considered close to RJD leader Shakti Yadav.
In Aurangabad, Amrendra Kushwaha was the working district president before becoming an MLA. Anil Tiger was subsequently appointed working president.
In Samastipur, the party had two district presidents—Roma Bharti for Samastipur and Rajeshwar Mahto for Ujiarpur. Both are considered close to former minister Alok Mehta.
In Purnia, Mithilesh Das was removed as district president in October 2025, shortly before the Assembly election, and former MLA Dilip Yadav was appointed in his place. Das was accused of not playing an active role in the party, according to party sources.
In Saharsa, Mohammad Tahir has held the district president’s post for a long period and has been considered close to RJD founder Lalu Prasad Yadav. The party is reportedly facing a shortage of alternative candidates in the district.
In Sheikhpura, Sanjay Kumar Singh, considered close to former MLA Vijay Samrat, could be considered for another term.
In Araria, K.N. Vishwas, father of Dr Avinash Anand, was considered close to Lalu Prasad Yadav. Party sources said there is no major controversy surrounding the name.
In Buxar, Shesh Nath Singh has served two terms and has reportedly faced no significant opposition.
In Sitamarhi, former MLA Sunil Kushwaha is considered a trusted party figure.
In Motihari, former MLA Manoj Yadav has reportedly faced no major controversy.
Why is Tejashwi pushing for an organisational overhaul?
The restructuring comes after the RJD’s poor performance in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, in which the party won 25 seats, followed by Tejashwi Yadav’s defeat in the Bankipur bypoll.
The leadership is now attempting to address organisational weaknesses and strengthen the party ahead of future political contests.
1. Challenge from BJP and Jan Suraaj:
The RJD faces a direct political challenge from the BJP-led government, while Jan Suraaj leader Prashant Kishor’s victory in Bankipur has added another challenge to Tejashwi’s position in Bihar’s opposition space.
2. Strengthening the organisation:
The party wants to bring younger and more active leaders into key positions and replace leaders who are seen as less active.
3. Improving discipline:
The leadership is looking to give greater responsibility to committed and trusted workers while reducing the influence of leaders who have publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the party.
4. Impact of electoral setbacks:
The RJD’s performance in the 2025 Assembly election prompted an organisational review. The latest changes are aimed at addressing weaknesses identified during that exercise.
5. Region-specific social engineering:
While retaining its traditional support base, the RJD is looking to expand its reach among other communities. Party leaders are expected to consider different social equations in different regions while selecting district-level leadership.
RJD says selection process is underway
RJD state spokesperson Chitranjan Gagan said the dissolution of organisational committees was part of the party’s organisational process.
“At the time of the election of the state president, all committees technically stand dissolved. There were several programmes afterwards, including the Assembly election. Therefore, the state president had issued a letter stating that the existing committees would continue to function until new committees were formed. That letter has now been cancelled,” Gagan said.
He added that the process of selecting new district presidents was underway.
“Regional balance, social balance, loyalty towards the party, past work and the ability to take everyone along will be considered while selecting members of the new committees,” Gagan said.
The restructuring is expected to determine whether the RJD can rejuvenate its grassroots organisation while balancing its traditional social base with its broader “A to Z” outreach strategy.
