RJD-JD(U) rift widens? Tejashwi Yadav skips event attended by Nitish Kumar

Tejashwi Yadav’s name was mentioned in the invitation. His name plaque was arranged along with that of CM Nitish Kumar on the table, but it was first covered with a cloth and then removed.

Crisis deepened in Bihar’s ruling Grand Alliance on Saturday with deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav skipping an official function with chief minister Nitish Kumar in Patna. The name plaque of RJD leader Tejashwi was first covered with a piece of cloth and soon removed from the dais.

The name plaque for Bihar’s deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav that was covered with cloth. (Photo: ANI Twitter)

According to officials, Tejashwi’s name plaque was earlier arranged along with that of Nitish Kumar on the table at an official function of the Vishwa Yuva Kaushal Divas at Gayan Bhawan in Patna. But it was first covered with cloth and then hurriedly removed before the programme officially began.

The development strengthened speculation that the crisis between the Janata Dal-United of Nitish Kumar and the Rashtriya Janata Dal of Lalu Prasad has further deepened over allegations of corruption against the RJD chief and his family.

Tejashwi’s name was mentioned in the invitation for the function.

Bihar has been in the grip of a political crisis over the demand for the resignation of Tejashwi after the CBI registered a case against him in a benami property case and also raided his premises last week.

JD-U general secretary Shayam Razak, considered close to the chief minister, said on Saturday his party’s stand was very clear that it will not compromise on corruption.

“JD-U will not take back its own stand on corruption. Lalu Prasad has become old,” he said, a day after the RJD chief declared that his younger son Tejashwi will not resign and the Mahagatbandhan was intact.