PRINCIPLES AND SELF-RESPECT ARE PARAMOUNT FOR HIM: TEJ PRATAP YADAV

PRINCIPLES AND SELF-RESPECT ARE PARAMOUNT FOR HIM: TEJ PRATAP YADAV

3-NOV-ENG 4

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA------------------------Amidst the ongoing election turmoil in Bihar, Lalu Yadav's elder son and Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD) president Tej Pratap Yadav has made a significant statement. In an interview with PTI, he made it clear that he would choose death over returning to the RJD. "I am not power-hungry. Principles and self-respect are paramount for me." The RJD supremo expelled Tej Pratap from his party and family for six years a few months ago. This action came after photos and posts of him with Anushka Yadav (alleged girlfriend) surfaced on social media.

Regarding the question of Tejashwi Yadav being named the Chief Minister face of the Grand Alliance, he said, "All kinds of announcements are made in politics, but power is attained only by those who have the blessings of the people." He also criticized the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), saying that people are no longer going to fall for the nefarious plots of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Commenting on Prashant Kishor, the architect of Jan Suraj, Tej Pratap said, "He is a businessman who raises resources and runs political campaigns for parties. He continues to do the same." Referring to his long-standing ties to the Mahua region, Tej Pratap said, "I have been associated with this region long before I entered politics. People say they were happy when I was an MLA because their problems were addressed. Now they say there's no one to listen to them." He doesn't see the current MLA, Mukesh Roshan, as a challenge. Mukesh Roshan is once again the RJD candidate from Mahua.

While filing his nomination from Mahua, Tej Pratap carried a photo of his grandmother, whom he said was blessed by her. "It was her blessings that propelled my father into politics." When asked about his parents' blessings, he said, "We haven't spoken in a while, but I know they are with me." Recalling his long-standing relationship with Tejaswi, he said, "He's my younger brother. He will always have my blessings. I can't use the Sudarshan Chakra on him."