Critics say Lalu Yadav (left) has had to step in during the Bihar flood as son Tejashwi Yadav is away.
Highlights
- Lalu Yadav is touring flood-affected areas of Bihar
- Critics allege Lalu has had to step in for his son, Bihar's deputy CM
- Tejashwi Yadav is in Europe - first for a govt tour, then a holiday
Lalu Yadav, chief of Bihar's largest party the Rashtriya Janata Dal, is touring flood-affected areas in the state, with particular focus on Raghopur, the constituency won in last year's assembly election by his son and political heir, Tejashwi.
Mr Yadav's critics allege that he has had to step in for his son, who is also Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister, as he is away in Europe - first for a government tour then a holiday - while the state is plunged into a crisis.
They also point out that two other flood-hit assembly constituencies, Danapur and Maner, have received special attention from Lalu Yadav. Both are part of the Pataliputra
Parliamentary constituency won two years ago by Ram Kirpal Yadav of the BJP, who is now a union minister.
Ram Kirpal Yadav was a trusted aide of Lalu Yadav once, but switched sides when the latter announced that the RJD would field his daughter Misa from Pataliputra in the 2014 national election instead of him.
Lalu Yadav has recently announced that Misa Bharti, who was routed by Ram Kirpal Yadav, will contest again in the next election, notwithstanding the fact that she is now a Rajya Sabha MP.
But Misa Bharti is also away to Delhi, and with minister Ram Kirpal Yadav conducting extensive tours of his constituency, Lalu Yadav has been compelled to be there in her stead.
It didn't help that the RJD lawmaker from Maner, Bhai Virendra, was also away visiting the Andamans on an official visit and returned on Wednesday to rumours that he was holidaying on the picturesque island. By Thursday, the MLA vowed, he had "touched every nook and corner of my constituency."
Lalu Yadav did not have to extend the fatherly duties to cover for his older son and Bihar minister Tejpratap, as he has been conspicuously present in his constituency Mahua, visiting government hospitals and other places to ensure care for the flood affected.
Sources close to Tejashwi Yadav said he has been kept updated on the situation and will undertake an extensive tour of his constituency on his return to Bihar tomorrow.