Patna: In a dramatic twist to Bihar’s high-stakes assembly polls, an FIR has been lodged against Jan Shakti Janata Dal (JJD) chief Tej Pratap Yadav for allegedly flouting the Model Code of Conduct.
The controversial leader, contesting from Mahua in Vaishali district, faces charges after a viral video surfaced showing his private vehicle decked out with police stickers, sirens, and lights during a nomination rally.
The complaint, filed at Mahua police station on the orders of Block Development Officer Mani Kumar Verma, stems from footage of Yadav’s white Bolero (registration BR 03AR 1820) parading as a police escort, complete with party flags fluttering alongside.
Election Commission guidelines strictly prohibit candidates from using vehicles mimicking official government or police ones, terming it a blatant violation aimed at undue influence. The clip exploded on social media, prompting swift EC intervention and demands for immediate action.
Yadav, expelled from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) earlier this year amid family rifts, launched JJD in a bold bid to carve his political niche. He filed nomination papers for the Mahua seat on October 16, poignantly carrying a photo of his late grandmother as a symbol of legacy. His party has announced 21 candidates so far, with Yadav leading the charge from the constituency he once won in 2015 under RJD banners.
Adding fuel to the fire, authorities conducted a raid on Yadav’s official residence following suspicions over the suspicious vehicle use during the rally. Police sources indicate an ongoing probe, with Yadav yet to issue a formal response. This episode underscores the razor-sharp scrutiny on Bihar’s hustings, where even minor infractions can derail campaigns.
As Bihar gears up for the 2025 polls — marked by NDA’s recent seat-sharing pact and intensifying INDIA bloc tussles — Yadav’s misstep could dent his rebel image. With nominations closing soon, the spotlight remains on whether this FIR will clip the wings of his nascent party’s ambitions or rally supporters around the fiery leader.