If not given RJD ticket, will contest as Independent from Mahua: Tej Pratap Yadav
"The people of Mahua only want me to contest from here. They are saying that if anyone else from the RJD is fielded here, they will not vote for him. If the party (RJD) gives me a ticket, I will contest for the RJD. If it doesn't, I will contest as an Independent candidate, but will fight from Mahua only. It is my land of action," Tej Pratap told India Today TV.Mahua is the Assembly segment where Tej Pratap won in the 2015 state elections and was appointed a minister in Nitish Kumar's Cabinet, serving till 2017. RJD's Mukesh Kumar Roshan is the incumbent MLA from Mahua.Reminiscing his tenure as the state's health minister, Tej Pratap said, "I helped build a medical college and roads in Mahua. My mother (Rabri Devi) used her MLC funds and provided ambulance vans to the constituency. So, I will fight from the place I have worked for".Tej Pratap also promised that if voted to power, he would vouch for the constituency to be declared a district and would also set up a degree college there.This came days after Tej Pratap and his supporters were seen carrying a green-and-white flag, with "Team Tej Pratap Yadav" written on it, suggesting that he might not contest the polls on an RJD ticket.During the conversation, the former Mahua MLA spoke about Team Tej Pratap Yadav- an outreach campaign to connect with the people of Bihar ahead of state polls. "It is a platform through which people can connect with me. People can get associated with Team Tej Pratap Yadav through social media and share their issues with me. So, I can help resolve them".Tej Pratap, Lalu Yadav's elder son, also claimed that Nitish Kumar will not be the Chief Minister after the polls and some young leader will rise to power.advertisement"You saw during the BPSC students protest when the protesters demanding justice were caned. This indicates that Nitish Kumar will lose his position and some young leader will rise to the throne," Tej Pratap predicted.Earlier this year, thousands of students seeking the cancellation of the 70th Integrated Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination (CCE), 2024, conducted by the BPSC over allegations of question paper leak, were caned, sparking widespread outrage against the Nitish Kumar government for its handling of the matter.Upon being asked whether he expected his younger brother, Tejashwi Yadav, who has been the state's deputy chief minister previously, to rise to the top post this time, Tej Pratap said that he would be happy to see that happen. However, he opined that it will be difficult as long as Tejashwi is surrounded by "traitors"."Tejashwi is surrounded by Jaichands (a historical figure infamous for his treachery). He will become the chief minister only if such people allow that to happen," he added.The 243-member Legislative Assembly of Bihar will go to elections later this year, either in October or November. The key contest is between the NDA, comprising Nitish Kumar's JDU, the BJP and Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas) and others, and the Mahagathbandhan of the RJD, Congress and Left parties.- EndsWith inputs by AniketTrending Reel
IN THIS STORY#Bihar#Tej Pratap Yadav#Rashtriya Janata Dal
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The Hindu
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Time of India
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