Tejaswi heir apparent, is RJD leader in House

Amid sharp criticism from the Opposition BJP, RJD chief Lalu Yadav on Monday decided to nominate his younger son Tejaswi as the RJD’s Legislature Party leader in the state Assembly.

Tejaswi, who is the deputy chief minister of Bihar and also holds important portfolios in the Nitish Kumar Cabinet, will now be able take all important decisions of his party on the floor of the House. His appointment on all important positions also highlights Mr Lalu Yadav’s intention to make him his heir.

Slamming the RJD’s decision, BJP state unit leaders on Monday attacked Mr Lalu Yadav, accusing him for “promoting dynastic politics in Bihar”. Speaking on the issue, BJP Legislature Party leader and newly-appointed Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Prem Kumar said, “What else is expected from Lalu Yadav We all know what he did to the state when his party RJD was in power for 15 years. He always promoted dynastic politics. He doesn’t have faith in loktantra (democracy) and believes only in parivarwaad (family politics).”

Stinging remarks against Mr Yadav prompted the leaders of the Grand Secular Alliance to react sharply to the BJP. Terming the allegation by Mr Prem Kumar “meaningless”, they said: “This is completely an internal matter of the RJD. Lalu Yadav was authorised by his own MLAs to take a decision on the issue and it was completely his prerogative. Tejaswi Yadav is an elected member of the Legislative Assembly.”

Mr Tejaswi Yadav, meanwhile, said, “We have been elected by the people of Bihar and our parties have the people’s mandate. I fail to understand why the BJP is cribbing.”

The maiden session of the Assembly, meanwhile, was adjourned Monday following the death of newly-elected MLA and senior Rashtriya Lok Samata Party leader Basant Kumar.

According to officials “the first two days of the session was earmarked for the oath of newly elected members and election for new assembly speaker”. Sources said, the oath will begin from Tuesday onwards. Out of 243 members of the state assembly 99 are first timers including deputy chief minister Tejaswi Yadav and health minister Tej Pratap Yadav.