Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tej Pratap Yadav has denied he had a fight with his younger brother, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, but accused a senior party leader of trying to create a rift between them.
Tej Pratap and Tejashwi are sons of RJD leader Lalu Prasad, who has been sentenced to jail for his role in the so-called fodder scam. Tejashwi is Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly and after his father’s incarceration the leader of the RJD, allegedly frustrating Tej Pratap.
Tej Pratap, last week, wrote on Twitter that he was ready to hand over the reins of “Hastinapur” to “Arjun” and move to “Dwarka”, using Hindu mythology to seemingly speak about his frustration at Tejashwi’s rise.
On Sunday, Tej Pratap denied differing with Tejashwi and attacked RJD state president Ram Chandra Purbe. “I love my brother and want him to become the CM (Chief Minister). If he becomes the Prime Minister also, I will be very happy. There is no rift within the family and I have no differences with Tejashwi,” Tej Pratap said, adding that he had always extended his blessings to Tejashwi and never objected to his position as heir apparent to Lalu Prasad.
Tej Pratap, however, alleged that some senior leaders in the party were trying to create a rift between the two brothers. He said he was angry with senior party leaders, particularly Purbe, for not meeting youth RJD activists. “Purbe wanted to become an MLC [Member of Legislative Council] and he has got his wish. But, he hardly cares to meet the youth activists who toil hard for the party. This is not acceptable,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Tej Pratap, however, alleged that some senior leaders in the party were trying to create a rift between the two brothers. He said he was angry with senior party leaders, particularly Purbe, for not meeting youth RJD activists. “Purbe wanted to become an MLC [Member of Legislative Council] and he has got his wish. But, he hardly cares to meet the youth activists who toil hard for the party. This is not acceptable,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Asked about leaders within the party trying to create a rift between the brothers, Tej Pratap remained evasive. “I will name them when the time comes. There are some people who are conspiring to weaken the party. But they will not succeed, as I will ensure that they are thrown out of the party at the earliest,” he said.
Tejashwi downplayed his elder brother’s outbursts. “We brothers respect each other and have no differences. There is no sibling rivalry within the family,” he said.
Asked about Tej Pratap’s statement that some leaders were trying to distance the two brothers, Tejashwi maintained that such attempts would never succeed.
“If people are trying to weaken the party and create a rift between brothers, they will never succeed in their ulterior motives. RJD has faced many challenges and emerged stronger,” Tejashwi said.