RJD MLA Bhai Virendra dismisses viral photo with Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary
Synopsis
A viral photo of RJD's Bhai Virendra with Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary has ignited defection rumours inside an already fractured party. Virendra says the image is two months old and linked to a family event — but his refusal to address the RJD's organisational overhaul on camera speaks louder than his denial.
Key Takeaways
Maner MLA Bhai Virendra denied political significance of a viral photo showing him with Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary , saying it was taken nearly two months ago .
Virendra cited a family connection — Choudhary's sister's wedding in Rohtas — and his recently shaved head as proof the image is old.
He had recently publicly criticised leaders close to Tejashwi Yadav and alleged money was being demanded in Tejashwi's name.
RJD State president Mangni Lal Mandal subsequently dissolved all state, district, block, and panchayat-level party units.
Virendra, a five-time MLA from Maner, declined to comment on the expected organisational changes and left the press interaction abruptly.
Maner MLA and senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Bhai Virendra on 10 August moved to quell political speculation after a photograph of him alongside Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary went viral on social media, amid a period of acute internal turbulence within the RJD. Virendra insisted the image was taken nearly two months ago and carries no political significance.
What Bhai Virendra Said
Addressing reporters in Patna, Virendra questioned why a routine meeting between a legislator and the Chief Minister should invite suspicion. He explained that elected representatives regularly call on ministers and government officials to pursue constituency development work — and that this meeting was no different.
He also cited a personal connection: Samrat Choudhary's sister's wedding was held in Rohtas, and those associated with the event were relatives of Virendra. As additional proof that the photograph was old, he pointed to his current appearance — he has recently shaved his head, while the viral image shows him with hair.
RJD's Internal Crisis: The Backdrop
The photograph has surfaced at a politically charged moment for the RJD. Virendra had recently made pointed public criticism of leaders close to former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, including allegations that money was being demanded in Tejashwi's name. He specifically targeted Shakti Singh Yadav, the party's chief spokesperson, vowing to expose him.
Shortly after, RJD State president Mangni Lal Mandal dissolved the party's state, district, block, and panchayat-level units and announced plans to constitute a fresh organisational team — a move widely read as a bid to reassert central control amid the factional tensions.
A Five-Time MLA Holds His Ground
Virendra, a five-time MLA from the Maner Assembly constituency, maintained that several RJD leaders meet Choudhary for constituency-related matters and that such interactions should not automatically be read as political realignments. He added that the photograph's timing — resurfacing now — was being used to manufacture a narrative.
However, when journalists pressed him on the expected organisational changes following the dissolution of all party units, Virendra declined to comment and left without elaborating.
What Comes Next
With the RJD's organisational restructuring still underway and internal dissent unresolved, the party faces a delicate moment ahead of future electoral cycles in Bihar. Whether Virendra's clarification is accepted at face value within the party — or whether the viral photograph continues to fuel speculation about shifting loyalties — will depend on how the leadership handles the ongoing reorganisation.
Point of View
Even an innocent image becomes a Rorschach test for loyalty. His abrupt silence on the organisational reshuffle — the far more consequential story — suggests the real fault lines inside the RJD run deeper than a two-month-old photograph.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the photo of Bhai Virendra with Samrat Choudhary go viral?
The photograph went viral because it appeared to show a senior RJD MLA meeting the Bihar Chief Minister from a rival political camp, triggering speculation about possible defection at a time of intense internal conflict within the RJD. Virendra clarified the image was taken nearly two months ago and was connected to a family event, not a political meeting.
What is the current political crisis inside the RJD?
The RJD is facing significant internal turmoil, with Bhai Virendra publicly criticising leaders close to Tejashwi Yadav and alleging money was being demanded in Tejashwi's name. Following this, RJD State president Mangni Lal Mandal dissolved all state, district, block, and panchayat-level party units and announced plans to form a new organisational team.
Who is Bhai Virendra?
Bhai Virendra is a five-time Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Maner Assembly constituency in Bihar and a senior leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal. He has been a prominent voice within the party and has recently drawn attention for his public criticism of the RJD's internal leadership.
What did Bhai Virendra say about Shakti Singh Yadav?
Virendra targeted Shakti Singh Yadav, the chief spokesperson of the RJD, accusing him of wrongdoing and vowing to expose him publicly. This was part of broader allegations Virendra made against leaders in Tejashwi Yadav's close circle.
What happens next for the RJD after dissolving its party units?
RJD State president Mangni Lal Mandal has announced plans to constitute a new organisational team following the dissolution of all party units. The restructuring is seen as an attempt to reassert central control, though the timeline and composition of the new team have not been specified.
