Lalu Prasad faces tough choices as sons feud over RJD

Tejashwi reaches Delhi to consult father while Tej Pratap hits out at party leaders

For the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch Lalu Prasad, who has been recuperating from several health issues at his older daughter’s residence in New Delhi, the tussle between his two MLA sons is posing new challenges to his health, family and the party. The siblings — older son Tej Pratap Yadav and younger Tejashwi Yadav, whom Mr. Prasad has already declared as his heir apparent — are currently locked in fierce tussle for control of the party and have thrown the ball in their father’s court to resolve the discontent between them. Mr. Tej Pratap Yadav, RJD MLA from Hasanpur in Samastipur district, has religious leanings and is considered to have a colourful and happy-go-lucky personality. Sporting a chandan tikka (sandal dot on his forehead) and different coloured robes of monks, he is a frequent visitor to the holy city of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. He calls himself a devotee of Krishna and Shiva, and is said to be close to his mother and former chief minister Rabri Devi. Mr Tejashwi Yadav, MLA from Raghopur, is seen as close to his father. Unlike his younger brother who is also Leader of Opposition in State Assembly, Mr. Tej Pratap is often in the news for his caustic remarks and rustic mannerisms like his father, causing major embarrassment to the RJD and its leaders.