New Delhi Chronicle Staff Reporter
Patna: In a bold political move, Tej Pratap Yadav—former RJD leader and elder son of Lalu Prasad Yadav—announced the launch of a new political alliance on Tuesday, forming a coalition of five regional parties. This development comes after his expulsion from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and his much-publicized rift with his family.
At a press conference held in Patna, Tej Pratap unveiled his alliance with Pradeep Nishad’s Vanchit Vikas Insaan Party (VVIP), alongside the national presidents of four other parties:
• Bhojpuriya Jan Morcha (BJM)
• Pragatisheel Janta Party (PJP)
• Wajib Adhikar Party (WAP)
• Sanyukt Kisan Vikas Party (SKVP)
Dig at Tejashwi Yadav
Taking a swipe at his younger brother and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap declared, “I will fight for Bihar. I have many rivals, and my new alliance will certainly make them uncomfortable. Tejashwi must be watching—I bless him to move forward.”
The Hasanpur MLA, expelled from RJD for six years following the circulation of controversial videos on social media, asserted that his new front was committed to “real change” in Bihar’s political landscape.
Invitation to RJD and Congress
Despite his fallout with the RJD leadership, Tej Pratap extended an olive branch, inviting both RJD and Congress to join his coalition. He also targeted Mukesh Sahani, calling him an “impersonator” and claiming that VVIP, under Pradeep Nishad, was the “original party.”
Pradeep Nishad’s Role
Pradeep Nishad—popularly known as “Helicopter Baba” in Bihar—founded the VVIP on June 28 after parting ways with former ally Mukesh Sahani. Nishad, a resident of Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh), cited lack of respect within the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) as the reason for the split.
Plans for Mahua Constituency
Reiterating his political ambitions, Tej Pratap confirmed that he would contest the upcoming elections from Mahua in Vaishali, a constituency he had earlier represented. Ruling out any speculation of his brother Tejashwi contesting from the same seat, Tej asserted, “Tejashwi will never contest from Mahua. There’s no room for ifs and buts.”
