Lalu appoints Tejaswi party leader in Assembly

Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad on Monday declared his younger son Tejaswi Yadav as the leader of the RJD Legislature Party (RJDLP) in the Assembly.

Ignoring those who accuse him of promoting his family, the party chief also announced that former chief minister and Tejaswi’s mother Rabri Devi will be the leader of the party in the Council.

Family affair
Bihar has a bicameral House where Rabri Devi is the member of the Legislative Council, while her two sons – the elder one Tej Pratap and the younger one Tejaswi – are the members of the Assembly, elected earlier this month from Mahua and Raghopur, respectively.

With Monday’s decision on the leader of the legislature party, Lalu has made it clear who will be his political heir.

The Assembly was, however, adjourned after paying tributes to the RLSP (Rashtriya Lok Samata Party) MLA from Harlakhi (in Madhubani), Basant Kushwaha.

Oppn view
The main Opposition party, the BJP, meanwhile, slammed Lalu for promoting dynastic politics. Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Prem Kumar, who was elected to the post on Sunday, said: “Laluji has never thought of anyone beyond his family. This is not a healthy tradition in a democracy.”

Tejaswi, who has been at the receiving end of his opponents, particularly over his educational qualification (Class IX), was quick to retort to the criticism.

“I am here because voters have elected me. Judge me by my action. Criticise me if I do something wrong. But don’t declare someone out even before the first bowl has been bowled,” said the cricketer-turned-politician, who padded up for a new innings as Bihar Assembly session began on Monday.