All is not well within the RJD. Jagdanand Singh has once again started working from home, foregoing his office duties. He is reportedly monitoring activities through CCTV surveillance. Meanwhile, the number of party workers sporting green caps within the office has increased.
Bihar Politics: Recent discussions surrounding the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar politics center around two significant developments—the resumption of work-from-home by state president Jagdanand Singh, and the mandate for party workers to wear green caps at the RJD office. These events have fueled speculation of internal power struggles within the party.
Jagdanand Singh Working From Home
RJD state president Jagdanand Singh has once again stopped coming to the party office. He is now monitoring the activities of the RJD state office from his home. Through CCTV cameras installed in the office, he keeps a close watch on all activities and issues necessary instructions.
This is not the first instance. Previously, he worked from home after the November by-elections. He ceased attending the office following the party's defeat in the Ramgarh seat.
The Mandatory Green Cap
Another significant change is the RJD's mandate for its office-bearers to wear green caps. Previously, workers would drape a green scarf over their shoulders, considered a party identifier.
However, the party received complaints that workers were using the scarf as a head covering in a manner reminiscent of past displays of aggression, reviving the RJD's image of b-arm tactics. The party leadership, particularly Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, seeks to move away from this image. Therefore, the green cap has been introduced as an alternative to the scarf.
Jagdanand Singh's Discontent Following Son's Defeat
In the November 2023 by-election for the Ramgarh seat, Jagdanand Singh's son, Ajit Singh, was given the ticket. This seat is considered a traditional bhold of Jagdanand Singh's family, but the party suffered a defeat. Subsequently, discussions within the party arose suggesting that a different candidate might have yielded a different outcome.
Following these events, Jagdanand Singh stopped coming to the office, citing health reasons. However, he has now resumed working from home at the request of Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav.
Term Ending in June
Jagdanand Singh's tenure as RJD state president is ending in the second week of June. The party has commenced the process of forming units. A meeting of electoral and sub-electoral officers has been called for May 17th to determine future strategy.
However, there is speculation that Jagdanand Singh may remain state president until the assembly elections, with the selection of a new president taking place afterward.
