Tej turns to Bageshwar Dham seer amid political setbacks

Patna: Confronting repeated “roadblocks” in his political career that began with a strong start in 2015, RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s estranged elder son Tej Pratap Yadav has approached religious guru Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, seeking an immediate remedy for his personal troubles. The move has drawn attention as barely three years ago, Tej Pratap had strongly opposed Shastri in Patna, accusing him of trying to create hatred in society along communal lines and announcing plans to oppose his visit.In a video clip that has gone viral, Tej Pratap is seen seeking guidance for his declining political career, saying, “Mera rajniti dekh lijiyega... Rajnitik (Please guide me about my political future).” To which Shastri replies, “Bilkul, pucca... Ham aur aap baithenge jab aap yahan aayenge (Of course, we will sit together when you come here — Bageshwar Dham).” Reacting promptly, Tej Pratap says he would meet him soon.Although it is not clear when the video was shot, it has drawn sharp reactions with social media users pointing out that he has turned to the very person he once opposed. The reactions refer to the May 2023 event when Shastri visited Patna for a five-day Durbar, which faced protests led by Tej Pratap.“Bageshwar Baba is a coward and a traitor because he is pitting Hindus against Muslims. These Babas have come to break the country, not to unite it,” Tej Pratap had then said. He had also accused him of insulting Biharis, adding that Deoraha Baba was the figure he respected.Tej Pratap’s political career began with a strong start in 2015 when he was inducted as health minister and also handled forest and environment department and backward and extremely backward classes welfare after the Grand Alliance came to power following the Oct-Nov assembly elections. He again became a minister when the alliance returned to power in Aug 2022.However, after the fall of the Grand Alliance govt, his political journey has seen setbacks. He faced controversy in May 2025 after revealing his relationship with a woman ahead of the Assembly elections, leading to his expulsion from the RJD for six years and being disowned by Lalu Prasad. He later formed his own party, Janshakti Janta Dal, and contested 21 seats in last year’s Assembly elections but lost all, including the Mahua seat where he finished third.Last week, he held a closed-door meeting with Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor. The hour-long interaction, described as cordial, focused on evolving political dynamics and societal aspirations, underlining his ongoing struggle to revive his political career.