New Delhi: Tensions are prevailing at RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav's residence despite the upcoming marriage of his youngest daughter Raj Lakshmi with Mulayam Singh Yadav's grandnephew.
All eyes are on Lalu's household amid the posturing for position within the fledgling Janata Parivar on who will be the family's patriarch as Lalu himself cannot contest the elections after he was convicted in the fodder scam.
Lalu's eldest daughter Misa Bharti, 38, who fought and lost the Lok Sabha elections badly, his elder son Tej Pratap Yadav and the younger one, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav are currently in the race. Earlier it was believed that Tej, 27, was assigned to run the family showroom of motorcycles and Tejashwi designated to step in once he had turned 25. But if Misa's entry into the picture changed the equations, mother Rabri Devi's push for Tej has brought him too back into the fray.
Rabri herself is reportedly considering the Rajya Sabha route to Parliament, after losing the last Lok Sabha polls from Saran.
“Though none of the three Lalu children has spoken a word in public, they have been sending subtle messages. Tej, who had ceded the political space to Misa and Tejashwi, has started asserting himself, sits by his father during press conferences and meets visiting guests,” an RJD leader said.
Recently, Tej's supporters in the RJD youth wing posted an image of his on Facebook and claimed that he was gearing up to take on the RSS. Tejashwi and Misa are already on social networking sites, with Misa being very active on Twitter.
Tejashwi has been watching all the developments and assured 50% tickets to the members of RJD youth wing of which he also conducted meetings across the state last year.
Sources say, Lalu is impressed with both Tejashwi's speaking skills and and his “methodological preparation” for any subject. However, he has to take into account Tej's wishes.
And then there is Misa, who has been talked of as a possible deputy CM in an RJD-JD(U) government. “She will play a key role in the coming polls and may contest from Maner while Tej and Tejashwi can pick Sonepur and Raghopur to contest. But the tussle is surely brewing for the No. 1 slot,” said a person close to the Lalu family.
