Is Tej Pratap Yadav Trying to Reverse the Political Flow? Reality Check on RJD–JJD Merger Buzz

Patna, Bihar:
Former Bihar minister Tej Pratap Yadav, known for his unconventional political style and headline-grabbing remarks, has once again stirred the state’s political circles. On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, what was meant to be a traditional dahi-chura feast turned into a political experiment, as Tej Pratap floated an idea that many observers are calling politically unrealistic and symbolically provocative.

Politics Turned into a ‘Laboratory’

Drawing an unusual analogy from chemistry, Tej Pratap appeared to reinterpret the concept of osmosis—but in reverse. Instead of a smaller entity merging into a larger political force, he publicly suggested that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) should merge into his outfit, the Jan Shakti Janata Dal (JJD)—a proposal that left political analysts astonished.

During interactions with the media, Tej Pratap went a step further, claiming that JJD is the “real party” of Lalu Prasad Yadav, asserting that this was the reason behind Lalu Yadav’s presence at the feast. The statement was widely seen as an attempt to project political legitimacy far beyond JJD’s actual standing.

Subtle Dig at Tejashwi Yadav

The event also carried clear undertones of intra-family tension. Although Tej Pratap invited his younger brother and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, he did not attend. Tej Pratap used the opportunity to take a sarcastic swipe, remarking that Tejashwi “wakes up late” and might be surrounded by “modern-day Jaichands,” adding that as an elder brother, he was willing to wait till late evening.

Merger Talk: Political Reality vs Rhetoric

While Tej Pratap attempted to portray himself as the senior political force, the ground reality tells a very different story. The RJD remains one of Bihar’s strongest political parties, with:

• 4 Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha)
• 5 Members of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)
• 25 MLAs in the Bihar Assembly
• 14 MLCs in the Legislative Council

In contrast, JJD currently has no MPs, MLAs, or MLCs, making the proposed merger—especially with RJD merging into JJD—politically untenable.

Political Weight Matters

Analysts note that political seniority is not decided by age or lineage, but by representation and mass support. While Tej Pratap may continue to dominate headlines with bold statements, experts agree that he lacks the numerical strength or organizational backing to influence RJD’s political trajectory from the outside.

For now, Tej Pratap Yadav’s remarks appear more symbolic than strategic—fueling debate, but unlikely to reshape Bihar’s political equations.