Bihar politics is poised for a major shakeup with Mungani Lal Mandal, a former JDU leader and ex-MP, likely to be appointed as the new RJD state president. Party insiders suggest that Mandal’s nomination is all but confirmed, with his formal filing scheduled for June 14th at the party headquarters. Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav are expected to be present.
The RJD has been contemplating organizational changes for a while, with the exit of current president Jagdanand Singh widely anticipated. The party’s strategy appears to be focused on introducing fresh leadership at the state level, aiming to bolster its support among the Extremely Backward Classes and other social segments before the upcoming assembly polls.
Mungani Lal Mandal’s political journey includes a previous stint with the RJD before he joined the JDU, where he held the position of National Vice President. He returned to the RJD in January 2025, citing grievances related to the treatment of the Extremely Backward Classes and lack of internal democracy within the JDU.
The official announcement of Mandal’s presidency is expected on July 5th. This decision is being viewed as a strategic move by the RJD to engage the Extremely Backward Classes. It represents a substantial shift in the party’s approach as it prepares for the forthcoming elections.
With the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections approaching, both the Mahagathbandhan and the NDA are modifying their strategies. New political entities are also entering the fray. This election cycle suggests a period of transformation in Bihar’s political scene. Prashant Kishor has forecasted that Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar will not be in power after the assembly elections. Kishor’s campaign emphasizes clean politics and a change in leadership.