Pappu Yadav urges Congress to chart a separate course from RJD in Bihar

Independent MP Pappu Yadav urged Congress to pursue its own political course in Bihar, criticising RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as the two parties field separate candidates for legislative council elections.

Speaking to reporters in Patna on October 9, the Purnea MP accused Tejashwi Yadav of being overly focused on becoming chief minister and of failing to show Congress sufficient respect. He described RJD as serving BJP’s interests, a political accusation rather than an established finding.

Pappu Yadav argued that Congress, as a national party, should play the leading role in its relationship with RJD. He contrasted Tejashwi’s approach with that of his father, RJD chief Lalu Prasad, whom he said had shown respect for Sonia Gandhi.

The dispute comes ahead of voting for eight legislative council seats on October 23, with results scheduled for October 27. The Hindu reported that RJD announced candidates for six seats and that both parties are contesting separately.

Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram and senior party figure Kishore Kumar Jha also urged the national leadership to end ties with RJD, according to the report. Their calls do not themselves establish that the parties have formally terminated their alliance.

Pappu Yadav has represented Purnea and Madhepura across six parliamentary terms. RJD expelled him in May 2015, after which he formed Jan Adhikar Party-Loktantrik. He merged that party with Congress in March 2024 but won the Purnea parliamentary seat that year as an independent.