In a significant political development in Bihar, Ritu Jaiswal, a prominent leader and former president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) women's wing, has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This move comes after a period of intense political friction between Jaiswal and the RJD leadership, which eventually led to her expulsion from the party. The induction ceremony took place in the presence of BJP State President Sanjay Sarawagi, who formally welcomed her into the party fold by granting her the primary membership of the BJP, while the shift is seen as a major change in the state's political equations following the recent assembly elections.
Background of the Political Shift
Ritu Jaiswal, who is widely recognized by the moniker Mukhiya Didi, had been a key face of the RJD for a considerable amount of time. Her association with the party was marked by her active participation in various organizational roles, most notably as the head of the RJD's women's wing. She also represented the party as its candidate from the Sheohar constituency during the previous Lok Sabha elections. However, the relationship between Jaiswal and the party leadership, particularly with Tejashwi Yadav, began to sour over the past few months. The primary cause of this rift was the denial of a ticket for the Parihar seat for the upcoming 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. Feeling sidelined by the leadership, Jaiswal decided to rebel against the party's decision.
The Rebellion and Expulsion
Disappointed by the lack of support from the RJD leadership regarding the Parihar seat, Ritu Jaiswal chose to contest the election as an independent candidate. This act of defiance was viewed as a serious breach of party discipline. Although she fought the election independently, she was unable to secure a victory and faced a defeat. Following this act of indiscipline, the RJD leadership took strict action and expelled her from the party for a period of 6 years. This expulsion marked the end of her long-standing association with the Rashtriya Janata Dal and paved the way for her entry into the BJP.
Praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi
After officially joining the BJP, Ritu Jaiswal expressed her admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the policies of the central government. She emphasized that her decision to join the party was driven by the BJP's commitment to the nation. She stated, "BJP party puts the nation first. " Jaiswal further highlighted that the various welfare schemes launched by the Prime Minister are successfully reaching the people at the very end of the social ladder. She expressed her satisfaction with the central government's initiatives, which she cited as a major factor in her decision to switch allegiances.
Criticism of RJD Leadership
While praising the BJP, Ritu Jaiswal also took the opportunity to target the RJD leadership, specifically Tejashwi Yadav, while she mentioned that she's now a leader of the BJP and is committed to its ideology. She remarked, "The PM's schemes reach the last line, and from today, I am a BJP leader. " Her transition to the BJP is expected to influence the political landscape in the regions where she holds significant influence, especially given her previous role as a prominent woman leader in the RJD.