Tejashwi Yadav appointed RJD’s National Working President amid family and party tensions

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Sunday appointed Tejashwi Yadav as its National Working President, a move that further formalises his position at the centre of the party’s leadership. The decision was reported on 25 January 2026, ahead of key political preparations in Bihar and beyond.

Tejashwi’s elevation is widely seen as an organisational step to ensure continuity and sharpen command within the party structure. It also reflects the RJD’s attempt to regroup after its performance in recent elections and to craft a clearer strategy for future contests.

At the same time, the appointment has surfaced visible internal unease. Tejashwi’s sister Rohini Acharya publicly alleged that the party’s control had drifted into the hands of “infiltrators” and “conspirators”, signalling deeper tensions in the broader Yadav-family political ecosystem and within the organisation.

According to reports, Rohini’s statements were linked to demands for accountability and disputes over decision-making. The public airing of grievances highlights the challenge for the leadership: consolidating authority while preventing factionalism and keeping the cadre aligned on messaging.

The leadership change also carries electoral implications. The working president role is typically tasked with operational oversight, alliance management, and campaign execution. For Tejashwi, it strengthens his mandate to lead negotiations, set priorities and expand the party’s reach beyond its core base.

In the near term, the RJD will be watched for whether it uses this restructuring to project unity or whether internal criticism escalates into an open split. Either way, the appointment marks a major moment for the party’s succession planning and organisational reset.