Betrayal and Pain: Longtime RJD Worker Madan Shah Speaks Out on Bihar Election, Ticket Denial, and Party Crisis

Madan Shah, a dedicated RJD worker since 1990, has expressed deep anguish and disappointment over the recent Bihar elections and the internal crisis within the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). In an emotional account, he shared how his decades of hard work and loyalty to the party have been met with betrayal and neglect.

Shah recalled his early days in the party, when he attended Lalu Prasad Yadav’s iconic rallies, traveling by bus and feeling inspired by Lalu’s ideals and leadership. “Lalu Ji remains a messiah for the poor. Even today, the party runs on his name,” Shah said. He recounted being given a ticket by Lalu in 2020, losing by just 2,000 votes, but continuing to serve the party and his constituency relentlessly for five more years.

Despite his efforts and popularity—he claims people in his area still call out his name and believe he could have won by 400 votes if given a ticket—Shah was denied a ticket for the 2025 elections. He described how he was repeatedly assured by both Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav that he would receive the ticket, only to be replaced at the last minute by an outsider who wasn’t even a primary party member. The ticket was instead issued to Dr. Sandhya Rani, whose party membership status was questionable. Shah said this betrayal left him devastated, even resorting to tearing his clothes in frustration at Lalu’s residence in Patna when he was unable to meet him.

In his pain, Shah uttered a curse, predicting the party would be reduced to just 25 seats—and this is exactly what happened. “It hurts to see the largest party in Bihar shrink to 25 seats. I have given my blood and sweat to the party,” he said, recalling injuries he sustained during party protests, including a broken hand and head injuries.

Shah criticized the party’s current leadership and decision-making process, blaming “Chanakyas” (strategists) and “Jaychands” (traitors) who, according to him, have ruined the party through favoritism and corruption. He alleged that money was demanded for tickets, even though he was a grassroots worker with decades of service and could not afford such payments.

He also questioned the influence of party strategist Sanjay Yadav, saying, “He’s from Haryana—how can he know the realities of Madhuban constituency or the local people?” Shah contrasted this with Lalu’s leadership, who personally knew people from every constituency and sought feedback before distributing tickets.

Addressing Tejashwi Yadav, Shah advised him to take control of the party, reunite his family, and respect loyal workers. He lamented the treatment of Rohini Acharya, Lalu’s daughter, who donated a kidney to her father but was forced to resign and leave the party due to internal disputes and neglect.

In conclusion, Shah expressed his sorrow over the party’s decline, from winning 80-85 seats to being reduced to 25. He urged the RJD to reform, honor its workers, and remove corrupt influences to restore its former glory.