In Tej Pratap vs Tejashwi saga, father Lalu Prasad has a last word: Report

Lalu Prasad, the ailing RJD chief jailed in various corruption cases, has once again shown to his fighting sons that when it comes to the deciding party’s political path – he’s still the boss. The message is loud and clear, especially for his elder son Tej Pratap Yadav. According to an NDTV report, the name of RJD candidate for Sheohar seat is a stern message for Tej Pratap. Early reports had suggested that Lalu’s elder son was miffed over being sidelined in RJD’s policymaking team, with younger brother Tejashwi being seen as political heir of Lalu Prasad.

Over the weekend, the RJD announced Syed Faisal Ali as the party’s candidate for Lok Sabha polls from Sheohar. The name was announced despite Tej Pratap’s clear hints that he wanted party to give a few tickets to his close friends. However, Lalu Prasad decided not to consider any such recommendations, the NDTV report said.

Last week, after resigning as the 'sanrakshak' (mentor) of the RJD's students' wing, Tej Pratap had said that he will launch a new political front called ‘Lalu-Rabri Morcha’. He, however, said the Lalu-Rabri Morcha will be part of the RJD and he will form a new party.

"I am resigning from the post of Chhatra Rashtriya Janata Dal Sanrakshak. Those who think I am ignorant are ignorant themselves. I am well aware of who is worth what," he had earlier tweeted.

The sudden development were seen as major embarrassment to the party which has been beset by speculations of fierce rivalry between Tej Pratap and his younger brother Tejashwi Yadav.

Tej Pratap had quit as patron of the RJD’s students’ wing to express displeasure at the party not considering his nominees for the two seats. He had also supported the candidature of his elder sister Misa Bharti from Pataliputra when party’s Maner MLA Bhai Birendra had begun staking claim for the seat.

Tej Pratap is known to have thrown a fit on many occasions for being 'sidelined' in the party . Notably, his Twitter announcement of resigning from the party's students wing came less than 24 hours after he put out another tweet congratulating Patna University student leader Gagan Yadav for being appointed the state president of Chhatra Janata Dal.

Said to be enjoying the support of eldest sister Misa Bharti, the RJD leader caused a flutter a few months ago when he pushed for her candidature from Pataliputra seat and went on to launch a campaign in her support.

The news did not go down well with party MLA and an aspirant for the seat Bhai Virendra, who was said to have the backing of Tejashwi Yadav.

Recently, Tejashwi too had indicated that he was not averse to Misa, a Rajya Sabha member, contesting the Lok Sabha polls.

When asked why was his sister's name missing from the party's list of star campaigners, he replied that 'didi' (elder sister) was likely to contest the polls.