Bankipur bypoll: Kushwaha questions Tejashwi Yadav's absence from Bihar politics
Synopsis
With the Bankipur by-election underway, RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha has publicly questioned where Tejashwi Yadav is — and the timing could not be worse for the RJD. A senior party spokesperson's resignation citing humiliation has handed Kushwaha a ready example of the internal decay he is alleging.
Key Takeaways
Upendra Kushwaha attacked Tejashwi Yadav on 17 July over his alleged absence during the Bankipur Assembly by-election .
Kushwaha spoke to party workers in Rohtas , arguing the Leader of the Opposition has a constitutional duty to remain publicly active.
Senior RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari resigned from all party posts and primary membership, citing humiliation and neglect.
Tiwari is described as a close associate of Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav .
The remarks come ahead of the Bihar Legislative Assembly session , raising pressure on the opposition bloc.
Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) President and former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha on 17 July launched a pointed attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, alleging that the party is weakening from within at a politically critical moment — with the Bankipur Assembly by-election currently underway in Bihar. Kushwaha made the remarks while addressing party workers in Rohtas.
Kushwaha's Core Charge
The RLM chief questioned why Tejashwi Yadav has remained largely invisible during a period of heightened political activity. He argued that the office of the Leader of the Opposition carries a constitutional obligation — to scrutinise government functioning and amplify public grievances — and that Tejashwi's prolonged absence amounts to a dereliction of that duty.
'The RJD is already a crumbling party. Constitutionally, its leader holds the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, yet he remains untraceable. When the leader himself is missing, what can be expected of the party? That is exactly what is happening,' Kushwaha said. He was careful to note that personal movement is a matter of individual liberty, but that the constitutional office demands public accountability.
Internal Exodus and RJD's Troubles
Kushwaha's remarks were sharpened by a fresh resignation from within the RJD. Senior party leader and state spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari — described as a close associate of both RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi — stepped down from all party posts and primary membership, citing humiliation and neglect within the organisation. Kushwaha seized on the development, claiming it reflects a broader internal exodus as workers and leaders grow disillusioned with the party's direction.
Notably, Tiwari's exit is not an isolated incident; it adds to a pattern of senior RJD figures publicly airing grievances in recent months, raising questions about the party's internal cohesion ahead of the Bihar Legislative Assembly session.
Bankipur By-Election: The Political Backdrop
The timing of Kushwaha's salvo is significant. The Bankipur Assembly by-election has turned into a prestige contest between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition, with both sides seeking to consolidate political ground ahead of the next state election cycle. Tejashwi's absence from active campaigning, critics argue, cedes the narrative advantage to the NDA at a moment when the opposition can least afford it.
Kushwaha further alleged that Tejashwi's disconnect from the ground makes it difficult for him to effectively articulate the concerns of ordinary citizens in Bihar — a charge the RJD has not yet formally responded to.
What Comes Next
With the Bihar Legislative Assembly session approaching and the Bankipur by-poll result set to signal the current mood of the electorate, pressure on the RJD leadership is likely to intensify. Whether Tejashwi Yadav responds publicly — and how — will shape the opposition's standing in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
His interest in publicising RJD's troubles is self-evident. That said, the Mrityunjay Tiwari resignation gives the charge real weight — it is harder to dismiss internal dissent when it comes with a named resignation and a public statement citing neglect. The deeper question for the RJD is structural: a party that once dominated Bihar through Lalu Prasad Yadav's mass connect is now struggling to project a visible, accountable second-generation leadership. Tejashwi's absence — whatever its reasons — feeds a narrative of drift that the opposition cannot afford with state elections on the horizon.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Upendra Kushwaha criticising Tejashwi Yadav?
Kushwaha has alleged that Tejashwi Yadav, as Leader of the Opposition in Bihar, has been largely absent from public and political life during the Bankipur Assembly by-election. He argues that the constitutional office demands active public accountability, which Tejashwi is reportedly not fulfilling.
What is the Bankipur by-election and why does it matter?
The Bankipur Assembly by-election is a politically significant contest in Bihar where both the ruling NDA and the opposition are competing to assert dominance. The result is widely seen as an indicator of the electorate's current mood ahead of the next Bihar state election cycle.
Who is Mrityunjay Tiwari and why did he resign from the RJD?
Mrityunjay Tiwari is a senior RJD leader and state spokesperson considered close to both Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav. He resigned from all party posts and primary membership, publicly citing humiliation and neglect within the organisation.
What did Kushwaha say about the RJD's internal situation?
Kushwaha claimed the RJD is witnessing an internal exodus, with workers and leaders leaving due to dissatisfaction. He described the party as 'already a crumbling party' and said Tejashwi's absence makes it impossible for him to understand and raise the concerns of ordinary Bihar citizens.
Has the RJD responded to Kushwaha's remarks?
As of the time of reporting, the RJD had not formally responded to Kushwaha's allegations about Tejashwi Yadav's absence or the claims of internal dissent following Mrityunjay Tiwari's resignation.
