Shyam Rajak Quits RJD, Praises Nitish Kumar Amid Speculation of Return to JDU

Patna: Former RJD MLA Shyam Rajak has resigned from the party, accusing it of betrayal in a letter addressed to the party’s leader, Lalu Prasad Yadav. Rajak’s resignation follows growing dissatisfaction with the party, which he articulated through a pointed message: “I was not fond of chess, so I got cheated. You were moving the pawns, I was maintaining the relationship.”

The resignation has prompted a response from Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition, who downplayed the significance of Rajak’s departure. “Elections are coming. Everyone sees whether they need to go somewhere or not. Shyam Rajak has left the party. Stay well. This is not a big deal. This is not going to make any difference to RJD. We have worked for the people,” Yadav said.

Rajak’s discontent reportedly stems from the RJD’s decision to re-nominate Manoj Jha to the Rajya Sabha and select Munni Rajak, a member of Rajak’s Dhobi community, for the Legislative Council, leaving Rajak sidelined. His desire to contest the Phulwari seat and his clandestine meeting with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar have fueled speculation about his potential return to the Janata Dal (United) [JDU].

In his remarks, Rajak expressed admiration for Nitish Kumar, crediting him with helping to elevate Bihar’s status nationally. This praise has led to speculation that Rajak may rejoin the JDU, a party from which he was expelled in August 2020 after serving as Industry Minister. At that time, Rajak had anticipated receiving an assembly ticket from the RJD, but the seat was ultimately allocated to the CPI(ML), whose candidate Gopal Ravidas won the election.

Rajak’s recent attempts to secure a Lok Sabha ticket for the Samastipur reserved seat were unsuccessful, as the seat was assigned to the Congress under the grand alliance. Congress nominated Sunny Hazari, son of senior JDU leader Maheshwar Hazari, but it was LJP (Ram Vilas) candidate Shambhavi Chaudhary who eventually won the seat.

In 2023, Rajak made a visible effort to rally support within his community by organizing a large Dhobi Mahasabha at Patna’s Miller High School Ground. Despite the show’s strength, the RJD did not award him a Lok Sabha ticket, further straining his relationship with the party. Rajak’s next political move remains uncertain, but his departure marks a significant development in Bihar’s political landscape.