Tej Pratap Yadav to contest Bihar election from Mahua, announces party’s first list of 22 candidates

In a dramatic twist to Bihar’s electoral landscape, Tej Pratap Yadav has declared his candidature from the Mahua assembly seat and unveiled his party’s first list of candidates. His bold move, charting an independent path after breaking from RJD, signals new alignments in state politics.

Background: From RJD expulsion to new party launch

Why Tej Pratap Yadav left RJD

Earlier in 2025, Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of Lalu Prasad Yadav, was expelled from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for six years, following a controversial social media post in which he acknowledged a relationship with a woman named Anushka. The post was later deleted, with claims of hacking, but the fallout was severe.

His expulsion was formally announced by his father, Lalu Yadav, citing “irresponsible behaviour.” This internal rift had long been speculated, but the decision firmly pushed Tej Pratap toward forging his own direction.

Formation of the Janshakti Janta Dal (JJD)

Soon after his exit, Tej Pratap Yadav floated his own party, Janshakti Janta Dal (JJD), positioning it as a fresh alternative in Bihar. The party was officially registered in September 2025. Its ideology leans toward democratic socialism, and it claims to represent a break from dynastic and old-style politics.

The party’s election symbol has been revealed as a blackboard, which Tej Pratap says embodies education, awareness, and the “power of the people.” JJD also announced alliances with several smaller regional outfits such as Vanchit Vikaas Insaan Party (VVIP) and Bhojpuriya Jan Morcha (BJM), aiming to widen its appeal.

Tej Pratap Yadav to contest from Mahua: significance & strategy

Why Mahua?

Tej Pratap Yadav will contest the 2025 Bihar assembly polls from the Mahua constituency in Vaishali district. This move is significant for multiple reasons:

• Mahua was his original stronghold; he first won this seat in 2015 under the RJD banner.
• In 2020, he had contested from Hasanpur instead, but now he is returning to Mahua, signaling confidence in his hold over the constituency.
• The sitting MLA of Mahua is Mukesh Kumar Raushan of RJD, who defeated Tej Pratap’s legacy in 2020.

By choosing Mahua, Tej Pratap is directly challenging his former party and attempting to reclaim a familiar base. This intensifies local political stakes and forces a contest in Yadav-vote territory.

Timing and nomination plans

Tej Pratap is set to file his nomination from Mahua on October 16, 2025. The Bihar assembly polls are scheduled in two phases — November 6 and November 11 — with counting on November 14.

This decisive timeline leaves little room for strategy missteps, heightening the pressure on JJD and its organizers to mobilize quickly.

The first candidate list: what it reveals

Number confusion: 21 or 22?

While several media reports mention a list of 22 candidates, others say 21 seats have been announced. The official JJD press release appears to settle at 21 names. Either way, it’s the party’s first public electoral slate.

Key constituency selections

Some notable nominations include:

• Sanjay Yadav from Madhepura
• Taurif Rahman from Narkatiaganj
• Dharmendra from Barauli
• Braj Bihari Bhatt from Kuchaikot

The list also spans contested seats in Patna, Bhojpur, Gopalganj, and Samastipur, suggesting JJD is not limiting itself to Vaishali but targeting a more expansive footprint.

Importantly, many nominees are young or with clean public images, implying the party’s attempt to project a fresh, reformist face.

Challenges ahead for Tej Pratap Yadav and JJD

Overcoming the organizational deficit

As a newly formed party, JJD lacks the deep-rooted structure, cadre network, and financial resources that established parties like RJD, JD(U), and BJP enjoy. Building ground-level strength in a short span is a major hurdle.

Voter trust and identity question

Tej Pratap must convince voters that JJD is more than a personal vehicle. He needs to differentiate from RJD’s legacy while retaining appeal among traditional supporters. His expulsion and family drama will likely factor in voter perceptions.

Vote splitting in Yadav strongholds

Mahua, in particular, is a Yem insight: with both RJD and JJD competing, the Yadav vote could split. That may benefit rival parties or emergent third contenders in key clashes.

Alliance alignments and seat sharing

JJD’s alliances with smaller regional outfits hint at a coalition play, but whether those partnerships prove electorally fruitful is yet to be tested. Coordination, seat alignment, and vote transfer efficiency will matter.

What this move signals for Bihar’s 2025 election

A shake-up in Yadav politics

By contesting from Mahua and releasing a candidate list, Tej Pratap Yadav has injected uncertainty into the traditional RJD vote base. The rift between siblings Tejashwi and Tej Pratap has now become a structural disruption.

A new competitive front

Every new party adds fluidity to election math. If JJD secures even modest success, it can influence seat equations and force major parties to recalibrate strategies in competitive districts.

Youth and reform narrative

Tej Pratap’s campaign rhetoric emphasizes transformation, social justice, and grassroots politics. His use of the blackboard symbol and younger candidates reflects an attempt to appeal to a reformist sensibility in Bihar’s electorate.

Conclusion: High stakes for Tej Pratap Yadav

Tej Pratap Yadav’s decision to contest from Mahua and unveil a first candidate list marks a bold, high-stakes gamble. It positions him not just as a rebel, but as a contender aiming to reshape Bihar’s political map. His success will depend on mobilizing ground support, differentiating his party, maintaining alliances, and winning voter trust in key constituencies. For RJD and other rivals, JJD’s performance will be a new variable to reckon with — and Mahua may become one of the most closely watched battlegrounds.

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