RJD Spokesperson Resigns, Alleges Leadership Out of Touch Amid Bypoll

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has lost a key public face after its state spokesperson, Mrityunjay Tiwari, resigned from all party posts on Friday. Tiwari alleged that party leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav remains inaccessible to committed workers, highlighting growing internal friction within the party ahead of a crucial bypoll.

Tiwari, who had been a spokesperson since 2014, said it was becoming increasingly difficult to defend the party as Tejashwi often takes sabbaticals during important political events. He noted that while former party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav was known for his accessibility, Tejashwi's style of functioning is more guarded, and he is surrounded by sycophants. Tiwari claimed his requests for more engagement with genuine workers were ignored.

Tiwari joined the RJD in 2009 through its sports wing and had been a prominent Brahmin face in the party, helping broaden its traditional Muslim-Yadav base. He stated he never sought positions like MLA or MLC and had courted arrest four times in the party's fight for recognition of the Bihar Cricket Association. He submitted his resignation to state party chief Mangani Lal Mandal.

The resignation comes as the RJD gears up for the Bankipur assembly by-election. Tiwari's public airing of grievances validates an internal narrative that an elite, non-political advisory coterie has isolated Tejashwi from ground politicians. RJD national spokesperson Subodh Kumar Mehta acknowledged the concerns, saying the party must look into them and not allow a set of leaders to prevail over the party.