Patna, Oct 28: Jantantrik Janata Dal (JJD) chief Tej Pratap Yadav on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, asserting that neither of them could be regarded as a “Jan Nayak” (people’s leader) and claiming that their political strength solely depends on Lalu Prasad Yadav’s support.
Speaking to media persons in Patna, Tej Pratap said, “The real Jan Nayaks of this country were Karpoori Thakur, Ram Manohar Lohia, Bhim Rao Ambedkar, and Mahatma Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi or Tejashwi Yadav cannot be Jan Nayak. They are under the blessings of my father, Lalu Prasad Yadav. If he removes his hand from their heads, they would become zero.”
Tej Pratap further said he would recognize Tejashwi as a true leader “only if he achieves something on his own.” Drawing a contrast, he remarked, “I am contesting the election alone without my father’s backing. If Tejashwi does the same and succeeds, I will appreciate him.”
The elder son of Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tej Pratap is contesting the upcoming Bihar Assembly Election 2025 from Mahua on the ticket of his newly formed party, the Jantantrik Janata Dal (JJD). His party has also fielded several candidates across other constituencies.
Tej Pratap first entered the Assembly from Mahua constituency in Vaishali district in 2015 on an RJD ticket and later served as Health Minister in the Mahagathbandhan government. He retained his position in 2020 by winning from Hasanpur constituency in Samastipur district.
However, his political trajectory changed following a controversy over his photographs with a woman named Anushka Yadav, after which Lalu Prasad Yadav expelled him from both the RJD and the family for six years.
Now campaigning vigorously across Bihar, Tej Pratap Yadav is positioning himself as an independent political force ahead of the 2025 elections.
