The political atmosphere in Bihar is once again heated, with the Lalu Prasad Yadav family at the center of controversy. Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of Lalu and Rabri Devi, has publicly criticized his younger brother, Tejashwi Yadav, raising questions about leadership and loyalty within the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). This comes amidst an ongoing dispute over the prominence of Lalu and Rabri's images on party posters.

Tej Pratap's recent remarks include calling out "egoism" in leadership and distancing himself from chants of "Abki Baar Tejashwi Sarkar". During a gathering in Jehanabad, when the crowd chanted in favor of Tejashwi, Tej Pratap reacted sharply, emphasizing that the government is formed by the people, not by any single individual. He cautioned against arrogance, stating, "Nobody should be egoistic about it. 'Jo Ghamand Mein Rahega, Vo Jaldi Girega'".

The phrase "Ask Jaichand" appears to be a recurring theme in Tej Pratap's criticisms. He has used the term "Jaichand" as a metaphor for "traitors" within the party, cautioning Tejashwi to be wary of such individuals. In historical context, Jaichand was a 12th-century king portrayed as a traitor who allied with foreign powers. Tej Pratap has asserted that some individuals are conspiring to separate him from Tejashwi, comparing himself to Lord Krishna and Tejashwi to Arjuna. He vowed to expose those playing the role of "Jaichand". In one instance, Tej Pratap targeted Sanjay Yadav, Tejashwi's advisor, alluding to him as a "Jaichand" without explicitly naming him.

The controversy extends to the use of Lalu and Rabri's images on RJD posters. In the past, the absence of Tejashwi's pictures on posters led to disputes, with Tej Pratap threatening legal action against journalists who highlighted the issue. Similarly, there have been instances where Lalu and Rabri's images were missing, drawing criticism from opposition parties. The current issue seems to revolve around whether Lalu and Rabri's images are being sidelined in favor of promoting Tejashwi.

These developments occur in the wake of Tej Pratap's expulsion from the RJD by his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav, due to "irresponsible behavior" and violation of family values. Following his expulsion, Tej Pratap launched his own political outfit, "Team Tej Pratap Yadav," and aligned with smaller parties to contest upcoming elections. He has also alleged a conspiracy by five families to ruin his political and personal life.

The internal conflict within the RJD has broader implications, potentially affecting the party's image and prospects in future elections. The public dispute between Tej Pratap and Tejashwi, coupled with accusations of betrayal and questions over leadership, present challenges for the RJD as it navigates the complex political landscape of Bihar.

It's worth noting that posters have been a recurring point of contention within the RJD. For example, a controversial poster put up outside Lalu-Rabri's residence in Patna in January 2024, which linked temple worship to "mental slavery," sparked controversy.