JDU Accepts Defeat in Rupauli By-election, Questions Tejashwi Yadav’s Campaign Absence

Following the JDU's defeat in the Rupauli by-election, party spokesperson Neeraj Kumar announced a review of the loss and criticized RJD leaders for not campaigning. An independent candidate secured the seat. The by-election was part of a broader electoral process across seven states, affecting 13 legislative assembly seats.

Following the Janata Dal-United (JDU)-led NDA's defeat in the Rupauli legislative assembly by-election, JDU spokesperson Neeraj Kumar announced on Monday that the party accepts its loss and will review the factors behind it. Kumar also questioned Tejashwi Yadav and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav for their absence in the campaign for RJD candidate Bima Bharti.

Addressing the media during a press conference, Kumar stated, "We accept our defeat in the Rupauli elections and will review the reasons behind our loss." He criticized the opposition RJD, highlighting, "When it was about his daughter, Lalu Yadav campaigned despite health issues, but he didn't campaign for Bima Bharti. The extremely backward and Gangota community felt insulted."

Kumar further questioned the RJD's Muslim voter base, stating, "Muslims did not vote for the RJD candidate. My equation ended in the Rupauli elections." He also accused RJD of betraying its allies, noting that the CPI party was denied a ticket. In the by-election, independent candidate Shankar Singh defeated JDU's Kaladhar Prasad Mandal by 8,246 votes. RJD's Bima Bharti, who had previously resigned as MLA to contest in Lok Sabha elections, secured 30,619 votes.

The by-election was part of a broader electoral process impacting 13 legislative assembly seats spread across Tamil Nadu, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh. Voting occurred on July 10, with the Election Commission overseeing the process.