Tej Pratap Yadav announces new front 'Lalu-Rabri Morcha', may contest 20 seats in Bihar

Days after resigning as the mentor of the party's students wing, Tej Pratap Yadav, elder son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, on Monday announced a new front 'Lalu-Rabri Morcha' which may contest 20 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar in the upcoming general elections.

Tej Pratap Yadav. (FILE PIC/PTI)

PATNA: Days after resigning as the mentor of the party's students wing, Tej Pratap Yadav, elder son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, on Monday announced a new front 'Lalu-Rabri Morcha' which may contest 20 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar in the upcoming general elections. The announcement comes amid the ongoing power struggle in the RJD family in the absence of Lalu Prasad, who is undergoing treatment at a government hospital in Ranchi after being convicted in fodder scam cases. Addressing the media here, the former health minister claimed a conspiracy is being hatched between him and his Tejashwi Yadav by the people who are close to his younger brother. "We demand Sheohar and Jehanabad seats from the RJD," Tej Pratap said, failing to which he threatened the party leadership with dire consequences. "People were not happy with the candidates announced by the party in these constituencies. Surendra Yadav had lost last three elections from Jehanabad and people there want a new and young face," he said. Tej Pratap has been pushing candidatures of his favourites Angesh Kumar and Chandra Prakash from Sheohar and Jehanabad, respectively. "Whatever is happening on 20 seats, our front will decide on it. We have party loyalists, workers and independents with us," he said, adding that leaders close to Tejashwi won't let the party win the Lok Sabha elections. "Many elements have entered the RJD who are trying to drive a wedge between my brother and I. I would urge Tejashwi, whom I always call my Arjuna, to beware of such elements. He must not pay heed to those who mislead him into taking decisions whereby committed workers feel slighted," he said. Tej Pratap was miffed with his younger brother and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav after he had named Chandrika Rai as the RJD nominee from Saran, a seat which was won by their father Lalu Prasad four times. "Saran has been the constituency of my father Lalu ji and mother Rabri ji. I urge my mother, with folded hands, that she herself enter the fray from there. If this does not happen I will contest as an independent and make my best efforts to win it," he said. Tej Pratap had married Rai's daughter in May last, but sought to divorce her five months later, much to the chagrin of his family. Last week, Tej Pratap had resigned as the 'sanrakshak' (patron) of the party's students wing, signalling all was not well within the family. Tej Pratap is known to have thrown a fit on many occasions for being 'sidelined' in the party. Said to be enjoying the support of eldest sister Misa Bharti, the RJD leader caused a flutter a few months ago when he pushed for her candidature from Pataliputra seat and went on to launch a campaign in her support. The news did not go down well with party MLA and an aspirant for the seat Bhai Virendra, who was said to have the backing of Tejashwi Yadav.