Tejashwi Yadav, born on November 9, 1989, is the younger son of former Bihar Chief Ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi. From the shadow of his father’s towering political persona to carving out his own identity, Tejashwi has become one of the most influential political figures in Bihar and a significant leader in Indian politics. Over the last decade, Tejashwi has risen to prominence through his leadership of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and has been instrumental in reviving the fortunes of the party that his father founded in 1997. His journey from a cricketer to the deputy Chief Minister of Bihar reflects the transformation of a young leader grappling with the weight of political legacy.
This report delves into Tejashwi Yadav’s political rise, achievements, leadership style, and his vision for Bihar’s future.
Early Life and Career: From Cricket to Politics
Before entering politics, Tejashwi Yadav harbored ambitions of becoming a professional cricketer. He played domestic cricket for Jharkhand and was also part of the Delhi Daredevils team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2008 to 2012. However, after limited success in cricket, Tejashwi made the strategic decision to join politics, following in the footsteps of his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav, one of the most influential political figures in Indian politics and a champion of social justice and the backward classes.
In 2010, Tejashwi officially entered the political arena by campaigning for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in the Bihar assembly elections. Though the party faced a significant defeat in that election, Tejashwi’s debut was seen as a prelude to his future role in state politics.
2015 Bihar Assembly Elections: Emergence as a Key Leader
Tejashwi Yadav’s first significant political breakthrough came during the 2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections. The election was critical for RJD, which had been out of power for a decade, and Tejashwi’s leadership came to the forefront during this period.
Formation of the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan)
In a strategic move to challenge the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Tejashwi’s RJD formed an alliance with Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) and the Indian National Congress (INC). The alliance, known as the Mahagathbandhan, was designed to consolidate opposition votes and prevent the BJP from making inroads in Bihar.
Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar
Tejashwi contested from the Raghopur constituency in the 2015 elections and won with a significant margin. The Mahagathbandhan, under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, emerged victorious in the elections, defeating the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Tejashwi Yadav was appointed the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, marking his formal rise to power at the young age of 26.
As Deputy Chief Minister, Tejashwi handled crucial portfolios such as Road Construction and Building Construction, which gave him an opportunity to work on infrastructural development—a key area for the state’s economic growth. His tenure was marked by efforts to improve road connectivity in Bihar, an issue that had plagued the state for decades. Under his leadership, several road construction projects were initiated, symbolizing his drive for modernization and development.
Challenges and the 2017 Breakup of the Mahagathbandhan
Tejashwi’s tenure as Deputy Chief Minister, however, was short-lived. In 2017, the Mahagathbandhan came to a dramatic end when Nitish Kumar severed ties with RJD and re-joined the BJP-led NDA. The fallout was largely due to the rising tensions over corruption allegations against Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi, primarily concerning the land-for-hotels scam in which Tejashwi was accused of being a beneficiary. Nitish Kumar’s return to the NDA meant that Tejashwi lost his position as Deputy Chief Minister, throwing him into the opposition.
Political Crisis and Tejashwi’s Response
Despite losing power, Tejashwi Yadav emerged as a resilient opposition leader. He staunchly defended himself against the corruption charges, claiming they were politically motivated. Over time, Tejashwi demonstrated political maturity by continuing to raise issues related to development, unemployment, and governance in Bihar. He made unemployment one of his core political messages, criticizing the state government for its failure to generate jobs for the youth. His slogan, “Berozgaari hatao, Bihar bachao” (Remove unemployment, save Bihar), gained traction, especially among the younger population, further establishing him as a champion for the youth.
2019 General Elections: A Setback for RJD
The 2019 Lok Sabha elections were a major challenge for Tejashwi Yadav. The RJD, under his leadership, failed to win even a single seat in Bihar. The NDA, led by the BJP and JD(U), swept the state, and Tejashwi’s party suffered a humiliating defeat. Many political observers saw this as a significant blow to Tejashwi’s leadership and the future of the RJD.
Rebuilding the Party
Rather than becoming disillusioned after the 2019 debacle, Tejashwi Yadav used the opportunity to introspect and rebuild the RJD. He revamped the party’s organizational structure, focusing on grassroot workers and enhancing the role of youth leaders. Tejashwi’s vision for the RJD involved reaching out to the new generation of voters, especially those disillusioned with the lack of employment opportunities in Bihar. His ability to learn from defeat and adapt his political strategies demonstrated his growing political acumen.
2020 Bihar Assembly Elections: Tejashwi’s Moment of Glory
The 2020 Bihar Assembly elections proved to be a defining moment for Tejashwi Yadav. He campaigned on issues directly affecting the common people, including unemployment, corruption, and the poor state of education and healthcare in Bihar. Tejashwi’s campaign was marked by his promise of providing 10 lakh government jobs, a pledge that resonated with the youth of Bihar.
A Transformative Campaign
Tejashwi Yadav’s campaign in 2020 was seen as energetic, vibrant, and inclusive. His focus on the unemployment crisis and the agrarian distress in Bihar allowed him to capture the imagination of a wide swath of voters, particularly the youth and rural communities. He projected himself as a young, dynamic leader capable of bringing positive change to Bihar—a sharp contrast to Nitish Kumar, whom many viewed as being disconnected from the ground realities after 15 years in power.
Tejashwi led RJD to emerge as the single-largest party in the Bihar Assembly, winning 75 out of 243 seats. The Mahagathbandhan, however, fell just short of the majority mark, and the NDA managed to retain power by a slim margin. Although RJD could not form the government, Tejashwi Yadav’s performance in the elections was hailed as a remarkable achievement, marking his arrival as a significant political force in Bihar.
Leadership Style: Tejashwi Yadav’s Evolving Political Identity
Tejashwi Yadav’s political journey has been characterized by his ability to adapt and evolve. Initially viewed as a young leader operating under the shadow of his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi has gradually carved out his own identity. His leadership style is a blend of populism and pragmatism, often drawing inspiration from his father’s pro-backward caste politics, while also incorporating a focus on governance and development.
Champion of the Youth
Tejashwi has positioned himself as the leader of Bihar’s youth, making unemployment and education his primary agenda. His 10-lakh-job promise during the 2020 elections was a clear indication of his focus on addressing the needs of the younger generation. Tejashwi’s ability to connect with the youth, both in urban and rural Bihar, has been instrumental in expanding RJD’s appeal beyond its traditional vote bank of Yadavs and Muslims.
Inclusive Politics
Tejashwi Yadav has also made efforts to broaden RJD’s social base by reaching out to communities beyond the party’s core supporters. His leadership style reflects an emphasis on inclusive politics, as he has tried to appeal to the aspirations of the marginalized, including Dalits and economically backward castes. This inclusive approach has helped the RJD under Tejashwi to remain relevant in Bihar’s dynamic political landscape.
Challenges Ahead: Navigating the Political Future
As Tejashwi Yadav looks to the future, there are several challenges that he must address to further strengthen his political career and ensure RJD’s relevance in the changing political climate.
1. Legal Troubles
Tejashwi Yadav still faces legal challenges, including the corruption allegations linked to the land-for-hotels scam. While he has consistently maintained his innocence, these cases pose a potential roadblock to his political ambitions.
2. Rebuilding RJD’s National Presence
While RJD remains a strong regional force in Bihar, the party’s national presence has diminished significantly since the days of Lalu Prasad Yadav. For Tejashwi, reviving the party’s relevance at the nationallevel, is essential for the future of the party. For RJD to regain its standing, Tejashwi will need to create a political roadmap that transcends caste-based politics while still championing the marginalized sections of society.
