Tej Pratap Yadav faces steep setback in Mahua as independent gamble falters

Patna: Tej Pratap Yadav’s attempt to establish himself outside the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) appears to have run into a major roadblock, with the Janshakti Janta Dal (JJD) candidate trailing heavily in Mahua. Early trends from the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 indicate that his independent political experiment has not resonated with the electorate, despite his claims of having stepped out of dynastic politics.

Once a key face of the RJD, Tej Pratap had been suspended from the party before choosing to chart his own course. Late last month, he dismissed his younger brother Tejashwi Yadav as someone still dependent on their father’s political image, and presented himself as the leader who had earned public trust. His decision to contest as a JJD candidate from Mahua was meant to demonstrate that independence.

His electoral history, however, shows stronger performances under the RJD banner. In 2015, he won Mahua by more than 28,000 votes against HAMS candidate Ravindra Ray. In 2020, he won from Hasanpur by over 21,000 votes while representing the RJD. This year, however, the situation is markedly different. At the time of reporting, he is trailing Sanjay Kumar Singh of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) by nearly 44,000 votes, and is also behind the RJD’s Mukesh Kumar Raushan by over 6,000 votes.

Having pledged never to return to the RJD, Tej Pratap may now be compelled to reassess his political strategy if the trend continues. His political identity has long been shaped by his parents’ legacy as Chief Ministerial figures, creating both an advantage and an expectation that he would mature into a leader with independent appeal.

Despite serving as a minister in multiple coalition governments — handling portfolios such as Health, Environment and Forests, and Backward Class Welfare — his public image has often been coloured by controversies, outspoken remarks, and episodes that drew more attention than his policy work. His personal life, including a widely reported marital dispute, has added to the perception of him as a headline-making figure rather than a performance-driven politician.

Whether Tej Pratap can eventually build a loyal voter base outside the RJD ecosystem remains uncertain. Establishing the JJD as a viable political force and distancing himself from legacy-driven politics will require patience, sustained grassroots work, and a more stable political presence. If he chooses to continue along this independent path, the road ahead is likely to be long and challenging.