Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of former Bihar Chief Ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, has announced he will contest the upcoming Bihar elections from Mahua. This declaration comes amidst a period of political turmoil for Tej Pratap, marked by his expulsion from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and reported family disputes.

Yadav's connection with Mahua is significant. He previously won the 2015 state elections from this constituency and served as a minister in Nitish Kumar's cabinet until 2017. He has stated that he will contest from Mahua regardless of whether the RJD gives him a ticket, even if it means running as an independent candidate. Tej Pratap has expressed that Mahua is his "land of action," emphasizing the work he undertook there during his time in office, including building a medical college and roads. He also mentioned his mother, Rabri Devi, used her MLC funds to provide ambulance vans to the constituency.

The announcement has fueled speculation about Tej Pratap's future political path, with many wondering if he will launch a new political party or contest the elections as an independent candidate. Recently, his supporters were seen holding a green-and-yellow flag with "Team Tej Pratap Yadav" written on it, further suggesting a potential new political platform. Speaking on "Team Tej Pratap Yadav," he said that it is a platform through which people can connect and share their issues with him.

In addition to declaring his intention to contest from Mahua, Tej Pratap has also made a bold prediction regarding the future of Bihar's leadership. He has stated that Nitish Kumar will not be the Chief Minister after the upcoming elections, suggesting that a younger leader will rise to power. He has been a vocal critic of Nitish Kumar, accusing him of failing to manage the state effectively. The term "Paltu," which translates to "flip-flop," is often used by opposition leaders to mock Nitish Kumar.

Despite the rift within the RJD, Tej Pratap has maintained that he supports his younger brother, Tejashwi Yadav, in his aspirations to become Chief Minister in 2025. However, he has also expressed concerns about Tejashwi being surrounded by "traitors" who could hinder his path to the Chief Minister's office.

Tej Pratap's recent activities, including meetings with party workers and a video call with Akhilesh Yadav, have sparked rumors of a potential alliance with the Samajwadi Party. After being expelled from both his party and family, Tej Pratap Yadav is making it clear he will not sit quietly. His public outreach program includes holding a daily "Janata Darbar" at his residence in Patna to address public concerns.

The Bihar Assembly elections in 2025 are expected to be a close contest between the NDA (JDU, BJP, LJP-R) and the Mahagathbandhan (RJD, Congress, Left). Tej Pratap Yadav's decision to contest from Mahua adds another layer of complexity to the political landscape, potentially reshaping the dynamics of the election. Whether he contests as an RJD candidate or an independent, his presence in the election is likely to draw significant attention and could influence the outcome in Mahua and beyond.