Patna: RJD is all set to have a new party president before the assembly polls due in October-November as a hunt has begun to find a replacement for the present incumbent, Jagdanand Singh.
Singh is considered as party chief Lalu Prasad's one of the closest lieutenants.
RJD state chief spokesperson Shakti Yadav said that the name of new party president would be announced on June 21. There are several names being considered for the top party post in the poll bound state.
Yadav said that the responsibility of the state party president would be given to a person, who could strengthen the party further and fulfill the dreams of party leader Tejashwi Yadav by following the party's principles strictly. Names of senior RJD leaders - Mangilal Mandal (EBC) and Abdul Bari Siddiqui - are doing the rounds for the post.
RJD spokesperson said that Singh had not been keeping good health since long and is also of advanced age. In such a situation, his replacement is important, he added.
Since it is an election year, RJD will consider various issues like caste and region before taking a final decision on the name of state party president.
Bond between Lalu-Jagdanand
The friendship of Jagdanand and Lalu dates back to the era of Janata Dal. When Lalu formed RJD in 1997, Jagdanand stood firmly with him. This relationship is so deep that Lalu fondly calls him 'Jagda Babu'.
In the highs and lows of politics, when many colleagues distanced themselves from Lalu, Jagdanand always stood by him. Whether it was the period of fodder scam or Lalu going to jail, Jagdanand never breached the trust. The specialty of Jagdanand is his disciplined and socialist thinking. He is one of those leaders who keeps himself away from controversies and earns the respect of all factions in the party.
In Lalu's absence, he helped Tejashwi take over the leadership, and kept the party united seamlessly. Jagdanand, a prominent Rajput leader, has been the Bihar state president of RJD since November 2019. Prior to this, he has been an MLA from Bihar six times, MP once and a minister in many departments. Jagdanand, a prominent Rajput leader, made a big contribution in strengthening the RJD organisationally. In 2019, when the party was facing defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the appointment of Jagdanand breathed new life into the organisation.
His appointment also helped RJD broaden the party's social base, adding Rajput votes into the party fold.
Jagdanand was allegedly unhappy over the defeat of his son Ajit Singh in the Ramgarh by-election. Ajit, who was earlier in JD (U), joined RJD on Lalu's birthday in 2024 and contested from Ramgarh.
Since his defeat, Jagdanand has not been visiting the party office since November 25, 2024.
