In A Setback To RJD, Shyam Rajak Resigns From Lalu's Party, Gives Hint On Next Move

In the letter addressed to Lalu, he wrote, "I was not fond of a game of chess, hence got cheated. You kept planning your moves, I kept caring about our relationship". 

RJD leader and former Bihar Minister Shyam Rajak resigned from Lalu Yadav's party on Thursday, stating that he was feeling "cheated".

Rajak, who was also RJD's national general secretary, wrote a letter to RJD president Lalu Prasad and said that he was giving up the party post as well as the primary membership of the party.

In the letter addressed to Lalu, he wrote in Hindi, "I was not fond of a game of chess, hence got cheated. You kept planning your moves, I kept caring about our relationship". 

There are speculations of the former RJD leader joining JD(U). However, Rajak, in response to questions on joining JD(U), said, "You will have to wait. I will tell you whatever happens."

Speaking of Nitish Kumar, he said that the Bihar CM is a good leader and he had worked with him in the past.

"I still believe Nitish Kumar is a man with vision, who works and allows his peers to work freely. If Bihar is now treated with respect and no more seen as an object of ridicule, the credit must go to him," he said. 

The RJD, speaking on the resignation, said that Rajak has a habit to switch parties frequently. 

"Shyam Rajak's resignation letter is there floating on his social media handle. It was being talked. He is fond of Chess, treachery is his habit, Tejashwi Ji hugs people, and he knows how to maintain a relation. Since he (Shyam Rajak) has a habit to switch parties frequently, who can stop him. Party is bigger not the individual," RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav said.

Rajak had served as a minister in the government headed by the RJD supremo's wife Rabri Devi, but he quit the party in 2009, to join the JD(U).

When approached with queries by journalists, Rajak claimed he took the decision following the advice of supporters in the Phulwari Sharif assembly constituency, which he has represented many times, but had to give up in 2020 when the seat went to the CPI(ML)L, an RJD ally.

The former minister, who is said to have been upset over the RJD's failure to consider him for a berth in the legislative council, also said he would reveal his cards in a week.

"I am left with two alternatives, to join another party or to retire from politics,” admitted the 70-year-old, who asserted that he maintained good relations with leaders of all political hues.