Former Bihar minister Tej Pratap Yadav has made a strong declaration, stating he would “choose death over returning to the RJD,” the party from which his father, Lalu Prasad, expelled him a few months ago. Speaking in an interview, Yadav, who has since founded the Janshakti Janta Dal and is contesting the assembly polls from Mahua, also downplayed his younger brother Tejashwi’s nomination as the INDIA bloc’s chief ministerial candidate. He emphasized that genuine power comes from the people’s blessings.
“I would choose death over returning to that party. I am not hungry for power. Principles and self-respect are supreme for me,” Yadav stated when asked about a potential return to the RJD. He added, “The biggest thing for me is to work for the people. I sincerely do that and people love and trust me.”
Yadav, aiming to reclaim the Mahua seat he first won in 2015, highlighted his long-standing connection to the constituency, saying, “I have been attached to this constituency since much before I entered politics.” He expressed that constituents miss his responsiveness and help, noting that the current RJD legislator, Mukesh Raushan, is not a significant challenge.
Yadav, the elder son of former chief ministers Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi, also shared that he filed his nomination papers with a photograph of his late grandmother, Marichiya Devi, stating, “Of course, she was the one with whose blessings my father rose in politics.” While he hasn’t spoken with his parents recently, he believes their blessings are with him.
Reflecting on his brother Tejashwi, whom he previously referred to as Arjuna while likening himself to Lord Krishna, Yadav commented, “Of course, as a younger brother he used to have my blessings. I could not have unleashed the Sudarshan Chakra on him.” Seemingly unfazed by Tejashwi being named the INDIA bloc’s chief ministerial candidate, Yadav remarked, “It is politicians’ trait to make announcements of various kinds. But power is enjoyed only by one who gets the people’s blessings.”
He also reiterated his disapproval of the ruling NDA, stating, “People are not going to be deceived by the nefarious designs of the BJP-RSS combine anymore.” When asked about the difference in this election as he is no longer with the RJD, Yadav asserted, “Nothing is different. People of Mahua are my family. I am contesting elections under my own party, the symbol of which is blackboard.” He also shared his company with an elderly ‘freedom fighter,’ emphasizing that having someone who saw Mahatma Gandhi is all he needs.
On political strategist Prashant Kishor, Yadav described him as “at best a trader,” involved in campaign work by assembling resources.