Setback for Tej Pratap Yadav, RJD names Syed Faisal Ali as its candidate from Bihar's Sheohar

Declaring his intent that his younger son Tejashwi Yadav was his chosen political heir over his elder son - Tej Pratap Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has taken a stern stand against Tej Pratap Yadav's demands wanting to get his close aides the Jehanabad and Sheohar seats for the ensuing elections. 

RJD on Sunday announced Syed Faisal Ali as the last candidate contesting from Sheohar seat in the Bihar Lok Sabha elections in which 40 seats are up for grabs. This announcement came as a major setback for Tej Pratap who wanted his close aides Chandra Prakash Yadav and  Angesh Singh for the Jehanabad and Sheohar candidacy.

Amid the reports of him launching a separate party 'Lalu-Rabri Morcha', Tej Pratap Yadav on Saturday posted a tweet, clearing the air that he would stay with the Rashtriya Janata Dal. 

The former RJD's students wing convener said, "It is a rumour that I am starting a new political party. I completely dismiss the reports. Rashtriya Janata Dal is my party, and will always remain so."

READ | Tej Pratap Yadav Refutes Forming A New Party, Says 'will Forever Be RJD Leader'

Making his solidarity with RJD and the party supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav clear, he had also tweeted a 'family portrait' showing, Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap, Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi and Misa Bharti. He captioned the picture, saying: " Anyone who comes between me and my family will face complete annihilation"

Meanwhile, days ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Tej Pratap will begin campaigning for the party from Bihar's Maner in Pataliputra constituency from where his sister Misa Bharti is contesting. In 2014, Bharti lost this seat to Ram Kripal Yadav of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). RJD is set to release its manifesto on Monday.

The Lok Sabha polls in Bihar are scheduled to take place in all seven phases from April 11 to May 19. The results will be declared on May 23.