Rohini Acharya questions RJD’s MLC candidate selection; claims loyal workers sidelined

Patna: The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has announced candidates for six of the eight seats up for election in the Bihar Legislative Council from the Teachers’ and Graduates’ constituencies, but the decision has triggered questions from within the party.

Rohini Acharya, daughter of RJD President, Lalu Prasad Yadav, has questioned the candidate selection process, alleging that leaders who joined the party shortly before the election are being given priority over long-serving leaders and grassroots workers.

In a post on X, Rohini alleged that “opportunistic figures” who joined the party shortly before the election were being prioritised while those with a long history of ideological commitment and organisational work were being overlooked.

She further alleged that sidelining leaders who had nurtured the party and its organisation for decades, often facing police action during political struggles, reflected a lack of concern for internal democracy and the party’s grassroots cadre.

According to Rohini, the decision was not only a betrayal of loyal supporters associated with Lalu Prasad’s political ideology but also raised concerns over the party’s core principles and organisational strength.

For the upcoming Legislative Council elections, the RJD has nominated Dr Sanjeev Kumar Singh, a former MLA from Parbatta, for the Patna Teachers’ Constituency. Singh had joined the RJD from the JD(U) ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections.

Dilip Kumar has been named the party’s candidate for the Patna Graduates’ Constituency.

The RJD has also announced Nitesh Kumar for the Kosi Graduates’ Constituency, Anil Kumar Jha for the Darbhanga Graduates’ Constituency, Dr Rashmi Vinayak Gautam for the Tirhut Teachers’ Constituency and Professor Jayram Yadav for the Saran Teachers’ Constituency.

The party is yet to announce candidates for the remaining two seats.

The RJD’s decision to announce the candidates in a single batch has been viewed as part of its preparations for the upcoming Council elections as well as a message about its organisational strategy.

However, Rohini Acharya’s criticism immediately after the announcement has added an internal dimension to the election preparations.

Her remarks have brought renewed attention to questions over the balance between organisational loyalty, political experience and the induction of leaders from other parties.

The RJD leadership has yet to publicly respond to Rohini’s objections. How the party addresses the concerns raised by one of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s daughters could become an important aspect of the RJD’s preparations for the upcoming Legislative Council elections.

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