Patna, Nov 15 - A day after the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) faced a significant defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections, internal tensions have spilled into the open with Rohini Acharya, daughter of party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, announcing her departure from politics and severing ties with her family. The declaration, made via a cryptic post on X, has ignited a flurry of speculation and debate within Bihar's political circles.

Acharya's announcement came as a shock, especially following the Mahagathbandhan's crushing defeat at the hands of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The RJD, which was the largest party in the Mahagathbandhan, saw its tally collapse from 75 to a mere 25 seats – one of its most disappointing performances since 2010. The NDA secured a landslide victory with 202 seats.

In her social media statement, Acharya pointed fingers at Sanjay Yadav, a close confidant of her brother Tejashwi Yadav, and Rameez, alleging that they were the ones who "asked" her to take this drastic step. "I'm quitting politics and I'm disowning my family … This is what Sanjay Yadav and Rameez had asked me to do …and I'm taking all the blame," she wrote. However, the exact reasons behind their alleged prompting remain unclear. Neither Sanjay Yadav nor Rameez have commented on the matter.

Political observers suggest that Acharya's outburst might be a pressure tactic directed at Tejashwi Yadav, who is perceived to be hesitant in taking action against Sanjay Yadav, who is seen by some as wielding considerable influence in party affairs. Rohini had previously voiced her displeasure when Sanjay Yadav was seen occupying Tejashwi's seat during the Tejashwi Yatra, an incident that reportedly caused discontent among party members. Sources indicate that Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi have not yet pushed Tejashwi to take any disciplinary action, adding to Rohini's frustration. By "disowning the family," she may be attempting to force senior leaders to intervene.

Acharya had unsuccessfully contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Saran constituency. RJD sources claim that Acharya wanted to have a say in candidate selection for the Assembly seats under the Saran parliamentary constituency, with an eye on cultivating the area for a potential return to electoral politics in 2029. However, Tejashwi and Sanjay Yadav allegedly rejected her proposals.

This is not the first instance of discord within the Lalu family becoming public. Last month, Acharya unfollowed both Lalu and Tejashwi on X, a move widely interpreted as a sign of conflict. She had also previously criticized Sanjay Yadav's growing influence within the RJD. Furthermore, there was speculation that Acharya was upset over the expulsion of her elder brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, from the RJD.

Despite these apparent rifts, Acharya had publicly supported Tejashwi during the election campaign. She also defended herself against rumors and reminded people of her kidney donation to her father in 2022.

The RJD, reacting to its major setback, stated that it was not "despondent" despite the defeat. The BJP emerged as the strongest performer within the NDA, winning 89 seats, its highest-ever tally in Bihar. The JD(U), led by Nitish Kumar, secured 85 seats, while Chirag Paswan's LJP (RV) won 19 of the 29 seats it contested.