All Not Well In RJD-Congress Paradise? Tejashwi Yadav's Remark Sparks Speculation

Last Updated:January 09, 2025, 15:33 IST

Yadav was commenting on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) vs Congress battle in Delhi but the statement has triggered a war of words in Bihar.

Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav (PTI File Image)

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Tejashwi Yadav set the tongues wagging on Wednesday when he told the media that the INDI alliance was only for Lok Sabha elections. Yadav was commenting on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) vs Congress battle in Delhi but the statement has triggered a war of words in Bihar.

“It is not unusual. In Lok Sabha election, the main motto was to defeat the BJP in election and the alliance of INDIA bloc was limited up to that motto. In such a situation, it is not unnatural for the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party to have conflicts," Yadav said.

Yadav however added, “As far as Bihar is concerned, we have been together from the start."

RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tewari, however, added fuel to the fire. Speaking to CNN-News18, Tewari said Congress should prepare to go solo in the Bihar assembly polls slated for later this year. “Congress should not aim for just 70 seats in Bihar, they should prepare for all 243 seats. Anything less will not help them assist anyone effectively," Tewari said.

The RJD spokesperson added that the Congress needed to understand the ground reality. “Previously, they were given 70 seats, and we all saw what happened. Congress needs to understand its real position on the ground," Tewari told Network18 in an exclusive conversation.

Congress Legislature Party leader Shakil Ahmad Khan retorted with equal vigour. “If anyone underestimates Congress, Congress will take them even more lightly," he said.

‘INDIA Bloc On The Verge of Extinction’

The war of words between the allies has attracted comments from ruling Janata Dal United (JDU)-led NDA in the state too.

JD(U) Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan said that the public comments from RJD and Congress leadership show there is no United INDIA bloc. “The way CLP leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan reacted to Tejashwi Yadav’s comments, it is clear that INDIA bloc in Bihar is on the verge of extinction. They would have lost even if they fought the elections together but as separate entities they don’t even realise how much of a struggle it would be," Ranjan said.

The open discord between RJD and Congress comes just weeks after RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav backed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for leadership of INDI alliance.

Political commentators in Patna said it may be too early to call it doomsday for the RJD-Congress alliance but it appears the RJD is setting up the stage to pressurise Congress to settle for less whenever the seat-sharing talks begin.

News politics All Not Well In RJD-Congress Paradise? Tejashwi Yadav's Remark Sparks Speculation