After weeks of negotiations and unease over seat-sharing, the INDIA bloc in Bihar finally settled its leadership question on Thursday, naming RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming assembly election.
The decision that was announced at a joint press conference in Patna’s Hotel Maurya, ended days of backroom bickering and public speculation.
In a gesture meant to project unity, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani was named the alliance’s deputy chief ministerial face, signalling a broader social balance ahead of the polls.
“All allies in the INDIA bloc, including Rahul Gandhi, have decided that Tejashwi will be our CM face,” said Ashok Gehlot, the former Rajasthan chief minister deputed by the Congress leadership to smoothen tensions. “This decision was taken after full consultation with our president Mallikarjun Kharge and all alliance partners,” as Hindustan Times reported.
Learning from 2020
The close miss in 2020 elections because of just 12 seats has reshaped Tejashwi’s politics. Tejashwi Yadav who was just 31, led a campaign built on jobs, youth, and welfare, themes that resonated strongly across Bihar. Since then, his rhetoric has matured, often countering the NDA’s “jungle raj” charge with data on crime and governance under Nitish Kumar’s two-decade rule.
In his stints as deputy chief minister, first in 2015 till 17 and later from 2022 till 24, Tejashwi developed a reputation as a hands-on minister, especially during his tenure in the road construction department. Even when Nitish Kumar switched alliances multiple times, Tejashwi’s focus on employment and welfare gave his politics continuity and recall.
The weight of legacy
Tejashwi’s rise has not been without controversy. He continues to face trial in multiple cases, including the IRCTC hotel contract case and the land-for-jobs case involving his parents, Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi. He has dismissed the charges as “politically motivated”.
His elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav remains on the edge, while sister Misa Bharti has turned to national politics. The party’s organisation, strategy and campaign now move in rhythm with Tejashwi.
Fifteen years after his first press conference at the Rashtriya Janta Dal office, the former cricketer who once warmed the benches for the Delhi Daredevils has fully stepped out of his father’s shadow.
In the crowded field of Bihar politics, Tejashwi Yadav now stands not just as Lalu Prasad’s son but as the INDIA bloc’s best bet to challenge Nitish Kumar’s long run at the top.
