PATNA: The political atmosphere in Bihar has intensified ahead of the Bankipur Assembly by-election, with Bhojpuri actor and singer Khesari Lal Yadav’s public endorsement of the Jan Suraaj candidate, Prashant Kishor, triggering sharp reactions within the opposition camp.
I.P. Gupta, MLA from Saharsa and president of the Indian Inclusive Party (IIP), an ally of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has demanded that Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav expel Khesari Lal from the party.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Gupta expressed strong displeasure over Khesari Lal’s statement, arguing that it was inconsistent with the loyalty expected from someone associated with the RJD.
According to Gupta, whenever Khesari Lal Yadav faced challenges in the past, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav stood firmly by him. He said the party not only extended political support to the Bhojpuri star but also fielded him as a candidate in an election.
“In such circumstances, campaigning for a candidate belonging to another political party amounted to a breach of party discipline,” Gupta alleged.
Although he clarified that he is not a member of the RJD, Gupta said he would urge Tejashwi Yadav to take strict action against Khesari Lal upon his return from abroad. He added that party discipline and loyalty were paramount, and if he had been an RJD member, he would have insisted on action against Khesari Lal or left the party himself.
The controversy follows Khesari Lal Yadav’s statement a day earlier in support of Prashant Kishor, founder of Jan Suraaj and a Bankipur by-election candidate.
The Bhojpuri actor described Prashant Kishor as an educated and capable leader and appealed to voters in Bankipur to support him, urging them to cast their votes with their children's future in mind.
His endorsement has added a new political dimension to the high-profile by-election, which has already attracted significant attention due to the candidates and parties involved.
The controversy has also raised questions about Khesari Lal Yadav’s current political status. The actor had earlier announced that he was distancing himself from active politics.
As a result, it remains unclear whether he is still an official member of the RJD. Despite this ambiguity, his remarks in favour of a Jan Suraaj candidate have sparked political debate, with leaders from the RJD-led alliance questioning his political loyalty and demanding disciplinary action.
--IANS
