RJD Reverses Candidate Symbols After Tejashwi Yadav’s Return
In a dramatic late-night political twist, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders who received poll symbols from Lalu Prasad Yadav were asked to return them hours later. The sudden reversal came soon after Tejashwi Yadav returned to Patna from Delhi, sparking speculation of internal strategy changes within the party. Crowds gathered outside Lalu’s residence as confusion spread among hopeful candidates awaiting clarity.
According to party insiders, several candidates, including Sunil Singh and Narendra Kumar Singh alias Bogo, had initially received endorsement letters in yellow envelopes. But later that night, they were called back to return them. While no official reason was provided, some leaders suggested a last-minute reshuffle following Tejashwi’s arrival. Meanwhile, others dismissed the controversy, claiming the viral images were “AI-generated.”
The recall unfolded as seat-sharing discussions within the Mahagathbandhan alliance remained unresolved. RJD’s allies — Congress, Left parties, Mukesh Sahni’s VIP, JMM, and RLJP — are all vying for favorable seat allocations. With nomination deadlines fast approaching on October 17 and 20 for the two phases of polling, the alliance faces mounting pressure to finalize candidates before Bihar votes on November 6 and 11.
Lalu Yadav, Family Face Fresh Blow in IRCTC Scam Case
Adding to the RJD’s troubles, a Delhi court framed corruption and conspiracy charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav in the IRCTC hotel scam case. The court alleged that Lalu abused his position as Union Railway Minister, manipulating tenders to lease IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri to Sujata Hotels in exchange for undervalued land parcels linked to his family.
Court Calls Lalu the ‘Fountainhead of Conspiracy’
Special Judge Vishal Gogne stated that Lalu Prasad Yadav was the “fountainhead of the conspiracy,” accusing him of influencing eligibility criteria to favor Sujata Hotels. The court found that Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav were active participants in the scheme, receiving land through manipulated transfers. All three accused pleaded not guilty, paving the way for a full-fledged trial under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
CBI’s Chain of Evidence Strengthens Case Against RJD Leaders
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) presented a detailed chain of evidence linking the undervalued land transfers to the tender process. Investigators claim that land worth crores was transferred to entities connected with the Yadav family at a fraction of its market price. This, according to the CBI, caused significant financial loss to the exchequer and established a clear case of criminal misconduct and cheating.
The court’s decision has arrived at a sensitive moment for the RJD, just weeks before the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. As the Mahagathbandhan scrambles to manage internal coordination, the corruption charges could influence voter perception and campaign momentum. Meanwhile, Lalu Yadav continues to assert his innocence, calling the case politically motivated amid rising political tension in Bihar’s election battleground.
RJD faces twin crises as Lalu Yadav recalls poll symbols hours after distributing them, coinciding with a Delhi court framing corruption charges in the IRCTC case against Lalu, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi. The dramatic developments unfold just weeks ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, intensifying political heat within the Mahagathbandhan alliance.
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