RJD expels 10 more leaders ahead of Bihar polls: Sitting MLA, ex-MLAs among those removed

Digital Desk

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has expelled 10 more leaders from the party ahead of the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections. The list includes one sitting MLA, two former MLAs, and a woman leader. Earlier, 27 others were suspended for six years over anti-party activities — many of whom have since joined rival parties or filed nominations as independents

Fresh expulsions

The newly expelled leaders include Dehri MLA Fateh Bahadur Singh, State Vice President Satish Kumar, former MLAs Mohd Ghulam Jilani Warsi and Mohd Riyazul Haque Raju, Mohd Syed Naushadul Nabi alias Pappu Khan, State General Secretaries Amod Kumar Mandal and Gipsa Anand, and leaders Virendra Kumar Sharma, E Pranav Prakash, and Rajiv Ranjan alias Pinku.

According to the RJD’s expulsion order dated October 27, these leaders were found campaigning against official party candidates. Some had even entered the fray as independents, prompting disciplinary action.

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Earlier expulsions

Previously, RJD had removed 27 leaders, including sitting MLAs Chhote Lal Rai (Parsa) and Mohammad Kamran (Govindpur), along with four former MLAs and one ex-MLC. Many have now aligned with the Janashakti Janata Dal (JJD) — the new outfit floated by Tej Pratap Yadav, who himself was expelled from RJD for six years. Tej Pratap is contesting from Mahua and has fielded candidates in several seats, including Raghopur, represented by his brother Tejashwi Yadav.

Rebels fighting independently

Several leaders who were denied tickets have entered the contest as independents, accusing the party of nepotism:

Ritu Jaiswal (Parihar) – Denied a ticket in favour of Smita Purve Gupta, she accused RJD of “favouring family over loyal workers.”
Ram Prakash Mahto (Katihar) – Expelled after contesting independently when the seat was allotted to VIP.
Saroj Yadav (Barhara) – Rebel candidate after being denied renomination.
Anil Yadav (Narpatganj), Ram Sakha Mahto (Cheria Bariarpur), Mohammad Kamran (Govindpur), Akshay Lal Yadav (Chauraiya), Awneesh Kumar (Bihpur), Bhagat Yadav (Sherghati), Mukesh Yadav (Sandesh), Sanjay Rai (Vaishali), Ajit Yadav (Sultanganj), and Moti Yadav (Gopalpur) have also rebelled after being denied tickets.

Leaders who switched to Tej Pratap’s party

Surendra Prasad Gupta (Sonepur) and Neeraj Rai (Jagdishpur) joined Tej Pratap’s Janashakti Janata Dal and filed their nominations from those seats.

Further disciplinary action

In Darbhanga, Business Cell president Mahesh Prasad Gupta and Vakil Prasad Yadav were expelled for backing an independent candidate.
In Vaishali, State General Secretary Anil Chandra Kushwaha faced expulsion, while in East Champaran, block presidents Ramnaresh Paswan (Chiraiya) and Ashok Chauhan (Patahi) were removed for anti-party acts.

Leaders who joined JDU and BJP

Chhote Lal Rai (Parsa) joined JDU after being denied a ticket.
Anil Sahni (Muzaffarpur), a former MLA and MP, also joined JDU.
Kumar Gaurav and Rajiv Kushwaha from Darbhanga’s EBC cell switched to BJP after losing out on tickets.

Other resignations and controversies

Former MLC Ganesh Bharti resigned as state vice-president and quit the party, alleging neglect of the Nonia community. In Motihari, action was taken against Subodh Yadav, former Kisan Prakosth president, and Puran Devi Gupta, Mahila Prakosth president, following Subodh’s arrest from an RJD candidate’s residence — a move that stirred political controversy.

Party discipline vs growing dissent

With over 35 leaders expelled so far for rebellion or anti-party conduct, the RJD faces a wave of internal dissent. Many disgruntled members allege that the party leadership prioritizes family interests and favoritism over grassroots loyalty — a charge that threatens to weaken its unity ahead of the Bihar polls