Patna: In a dramatic turn of events following the Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) poor performance in the Bihar Assembly elections, Lalu Prasad Yadav's daughter, Rohini Acharya, has announced her departure from politics and a severing of ties with her family. The announcement, made via a cryptic post on social media platform X, has ignited a storm of speculation and controversy, exposing deep rifts within the Yadav family and the RJD.

Acharya's post explicitly states, "I am quitting politics and I am disowning my family... This is what Sanjay Yadav and Rameez had asked me to do...and I am taking all the blame". This statement implicates Sanjay Yadav, a Rajya Sabha MP and close aide of Rohini's brother Tejashwi Yadav, and Rameez, reportedly an old friend of Tejashwi from Uttar Pradesh, who handles social media and election management for the RJD.

In subsequent statements to the media at Patna airport, Acharya made even more explicit accusations. "I have no family," she declared, stating that Tejashwi Yadav, Sanjay Yadav, and Rameez had "thrown me out of the family". She further alleged a culture of abuse and intimidation within the family and party, claiming that anyone who questions Sanjay Yadav and Rameez faces being "thrown out, defamed, abused, thrown out of the house and even have slippers raised on you".

While Acharya's initial post did not elaborate on the specific reasons behind her drastic decision, reports suggest a culmination of long-simmering tensions. Sources indicate that Acharya was unhappy with Sanjay Yadav's growing influence within the party and his proximity to Tejashwi Yadav. There were earlier reports of Acharya being upset about not being given more prominence in the party. It is believed that the rumors and allegations surrounding Acharya's kidney donation to her father, Lalu Yadav, in 2022, also played a role in the dispute.

The RJD's recent performance in the Bihar Assembly elections, where the party secured only 25 seats, appears to have acted as a catalyst for the eruption of these internal conflicts. Some party members reportedly blamed Acharya for the Mahagathbandhan's poor performance, arguing that the public airing of her family dispute sent a negative message during the campaign.

The accusations have triggered a flurry of reactions from political circles. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State chief Dilip Kumar Jaiswal expressed sadness over the family dispute. Janata Dal (United) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar urged Lalu Prasad Yadav to intervene.

Acharya's exit from politics and disownment of her family mark the latest chapter in a series of controversies and internal conflicts within the Yadav family. Earlier this year, Lalu Yadav's elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, was expelled from the party and family. Acharya had previously expressed unhappiness over Tej Pratap's expulsion. She had also unfollowed party leaders and family members on social media.

Rohini Acharya, a doctor by profession, had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Bihar's Saran constituency but was defeated. Her public accusations and severing of ties with her family have cast a shadow over the RJD and raised questions about the party's future direction.