Tejashwi Yadav Appointed RJD'S New National Working President In Father Lalu's Presence

New Delhi: In a significant move, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Friday appointed former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav as its national working president

The decision was finalised during the party’s national executive meeting in Patna, signaling a formal strengthening of his role within the organization founded by his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav. As the current Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, this elevation officially cements Tejashwi's position at the helm of the party's national operations.

The decision was unveiled at the opening session of the RJD’s national executive meeting in Patna earlier in the day, where party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav formally presented the appointment letter to his son before senior leaders. His mother Rabri Devi was also present at the event.

RJD leaders noted that this appointment merely formalises Tejashwi’s long-standing influence over political and organizational strategy. For years, he has operated as the party’s de facto head, a role reinforced last year when the national executive granted him final authority over candidate selection and internal disputes regarding party symbols.

While the move provides a more defined leadership structure ahead of future political contests, it arrives amidst reports of growing friction within the Yadav family.

Rohini Acharya veiled dig

Earlier today, ahead of the Rashtriya Janata Dal's national executive meeting in Patna, party patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav's daughter Rohini Acharya fired a barb at her brother and the party's face, Tejashwi Yadav.

Acharya, whose conflict with Tejashwi Yadav after the Bihar polls made headlines, in a veiled jibe at her brother, Tejashwi Yadav, who now controls the RJD, she claimed that "infiltrators and conspirators" sent by fascist opponents are controlling the party. 

In a post on X, she raised concern over the current state of Lalu Prasad Yadav's party, questioning those responsible for its decline and criticising leaders for avoiding questions, dodging accountability, and mistreating those who speak up.

Archarya wrote on X, stating that whoever is a true "Laluvadi" would question the current state of the party founded by Lalu Prasad Yadav. She said, “Such a person will undoubtedly question those responsible for the party's current sorry state and raise their voice against the dubious and suspect roles of such people, without caring for the consequences.” 

Accusing the current leaders of undermining Lalu Prasad Yadav's influence, she wrote what she called “the bitter, worrisome, and heartbreaking truth of the present.” 

Rohini attacks party leaders

"Today, the real command of the party--known for fighting for the rights and entitlements of the people--lies in the hands of those infiltrators and conspirators sent by fascist opponents, who were dispatched with the task of utterly destroying Laluism; such people, having entrenched themselves, seem to be succeeding to a great extent in their dirty motives.", the post continued. 

Taking aim at the party leaders, she called for them to "look into their own collar" rather than running from questions and resorting to rude conduct. She pointed to "he", likely referring to her younger brother, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, saying that if he chooses silence, then his complicity with those against the party's core ideology 'Laluvad' is proven. 

By demanding that "he" (Tejashwi) look inward and address these issues, she pressed him to take responsibility and remove the problematic aides. 

"The one currently shouldering the responsibility of leadership will have to look inward into their own collar--rather than fleeing from questions, evading questions, shirking from giving answers, spreading confusion instead of logical and factual responses, and resorting to misconduct, rude behavior, and uncivil language toward those who speak for Laluism and the party's interests--and if "he" maintains silence, then the charge and accusation of complicity with the gang plotting against him stands automatically proven," the post concluded.

Why the rift began?

Rohini Acharya's relationship with her brother Tejashwi Yadav and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has hit rock bottom. The rift began after the RJD's poor showing in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, with Rohini alleging physical and verbal abuse, including a "slipper being raised" to hit her during a party review meeting.

"Yesterday, I was cursed at and told that I am dirty, and that I got my father to have my dirty kidney transplanted into him, took crores of rupees, bought a ticket, and then got that dirty kidney put in... To all the daughters and sisters who are married, I will say that when there's a son or brother in your maternal home, never, ever save your god-like father; instead, tell your brother, the son of that house, to get his own kidney or that of one of his Haryanvi friends transplanted," she wrote on X earlier.

She's also accused Sanjay Yadav, a close aide to Tejashwi, and Rameez Nemat Khan of orchestrating her ouster from the family and party. Rohini had previously criticised Sanjay for overstepping his bounds in party affairs. 

The family feud has escalated, with Tej Pratap Yadav, Rohini's elder brother, supporting her and criticising Tejashwi's leadership. Four of Lalu Prasad Yadav's other daughters reportedly left their Patna residence in solidarity with Rohini. 

The rift remains unresolved, with Rohini posting cryptic messages on social media about patriarchal mindsets and women's empowerment in politics. The BJP and JD(U) are capitalising on the internal crisis to attack Tejashwi's leadership. 

Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD) chief Tej Pratap Yadav also stated that he had been making similar accusations against the 'jaichand' elements, but had been sidelined and ostracised from the party. He called their behaviour despicable and claimed that it was all part of their conspiracy.