Patna: Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD) president Tej Pratap Yadav on Thursday ridiculed Rahul Gandhi’s comments on Chhath Puja, questioning the Congress leader’s understanding of the festival that holds deep cultural and spiritual significance in Bihar.
Speaking to reporters at an election rally in Mahnar, Vaishali, Tej Pratap — the elder son of Lalu Prasad — said, “What does Rahul Gandhi know about Chhath? Has Rahul Gandhi ever celebrated Chhath? Does he even know what it means?” His remarks came in response to Gandhi’s statement earlier this week, in which he had accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “staging drama” over Chhath for electoral gain.
Tej Pratap, who now heads his own party after being expelled from both the RJD and his family, also appeared dismissive of Mukesh Sahni, the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief and deputy CM face of the Grand Alliance. When asked about Sahni’s recent jibe — “Who is Tej Pratap?” — Yadav retorted, “Who is he? Who are you talking about?” On being told the name, he replied curtly, “I don’t know who Mukesh Sahni is.”
Tej Pratap Yadav, who is contesting the Mahua assembly seat under his Janshakti Janata Dal banner, has sought to project himself as a “protector of Sanatan culture” and frequently invokes religious themes in his campaign. His relationship with his brother Tejashwi Yadav has remained strained since his expulsion from the RJD, deepening divisions within the Lalu family.
