Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav is all set to be re-elected as the party’s national president for the 13th consecutive time, with only the formalities left to complete.

On Monday, the veteran leader arrived at the RJD state headquarters in Patna and filed his nomination before party election officer Ramchandra Purve. With no other contender in the fray, Lalu’s unopposed election is a certainty, and his official coronation is expected on July 5.

This reappointment comes at a critical juncture, as Bihar gears up for Assembly elections later this year. While Tejashwi Yadav remains the face of the party in electoral campaigns and a strong contender for the Chief Minister’s post, Lalu doesn’t seen to be taking the risk of handing over the responsibility of the party to anyone else.

The 2020 assembly elections have positioned Tejashwi as the frontrunner, with him leading the campaign and appearing prominently on party posters. However, the Grand Alliance fell short of victory.

This time, the party seems to be adopting a dual-leadership strategy, keeping Lalu’s symbolic authority intact while allowing Tejashwi to lead on the ground. At 78, Lalu may not be able to actively campaign across the state, but his presence as national president is seen as a stabilising force in a politically charged atmosphere.

The decision to retain him also sends a message that the party is not yet ready to formally pass the baton, even if the younger generation is already steering day-to-day politics.

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