Who Are Sanjay Yadav and Rameez? Rohini Acharya’s Exit Puts Spotlight on Tejashwi’s Inner Circle

Rohini Acharya, daughter of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, has stunned Bihar's political circles by announcing that she is "disowning" her family and withdrawing from politics altogether. The unexpected declaration came through a social media post in which she claimed she had been acting on the instructions of two individuals-Sanjay Yadav and Rameez-but was now being unfairly blamed for every decision.

Her emotionally charged announcement comes at a turbulent time for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which recently suffered a major defeat in the Bihar assembly elections. Rohini had campaigned aggressively for her brother Tejashwi Yadav, but the results, coupled with internal tensions, appear to have pushed her to this breaking point.

Who Is Sanjay Yadav?

Sanjay Yadav is considered one of Tejashwi Yadav's closest political strategists and trusted aides. Born in Haryana in 1984, he joined the RJD in 2012 and gradually rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a Rajya Sabha MP in 2024. Known for his strong influence over Tejashwi's political decisions, Sanjay has often been seen as part of the core team shaping the party's messaging and election strategies.

Rohini's mention of Sanjay in her post has raised eyebrows, particularly because it suggests she may have been following his directives, possibly as part of Tejashwi's political setup.

Who Is Rameez?

Rameez, also named in Rohini's statement, is an old friend and long-time confidant of Tejashwi Yadav. Coming from a political family in Uttar Pradesh, he has maintained a quiet but steady presence around the RJD leadership. While not holding public office, Rameez is believed to have significant influence within Tejashwi's inner circle, especially in matters of political strategy and personal advice.

By accusing him of influencing her actions, Rohini has brought attention to the informal but powerful network of advisers shaping RJD's internal politics.

Family Tensions and Political Fallout

There are indications that Rohini may have been unhappy with the treatment of her elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav, who was recently expelled from the RJD. Despite this, she had remained a strong supporter of Tejashwi during the campaign. Her decision to walk away from politics-and even from her family-signals deepening fissures within the Lalu family.

Her past actions, including donating a kidney to her father in 2022, showed her strong emotional ties to the family despite political disagreements. But the latest developments hint at a more serious rift, possibly influenced by factionalism within Tejashwi's team.

Implications for the RJD

Rohini's exit comes at a sensitive moment for the RJD-led alliance, which is already grappling with its electoral defeat. Her allegations involving Sanjay Yadav and Rameez may intensify scrutiny on Tejashwi's leadership and the role of unelected advisers within the party.

As Bihar's political landscape shifts, Rohini's departure adds a new layer of complexity to the RJD's internal battles-raising questions about loyalty, influence, and the growing divide within one of India's most prominent political families.