PATNA: RJD workers and politicians from across the country greeted the Mahagathbandhan leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on his 31st birthday on Monday, a day before state assembly election results are to be announced to decide the next chief minister of Bihar. Even those who had been critical of Tejashwi also extended their greetings on his birthday.
The younger son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, however, kept his birthday celebration a family and low-key affair. Midnight photos shared by his elder sister and RJD Rajya Sabha member Misa Bharti showed Tejashwi cutting a cake with his close family members. In one of the frames, he can be seen offering a cake piece to his elder brother Tej Pratap, while mother Rabri Devi and his niblings were there with altogether three cakes and a lantern (RJD poll symbol) on a table.
Those siblings who could not make it to Patna took to social media to wish their younger brother, whom the exit polls have projected as the next chief minister of Bihar. “Happy birthday tutu #HBD_CM Tejashwi,” tweeted Tej Pratap. While talking to the media, he said people have already presented a gift to Tejashwi, referring to the exit poll predictions.
Among senior leaders who wished Tejashwi on his birthday included Congress’s former president Rahul Gandhi, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Congress Rajya sabha member Raj Babbar, Congress leader Sachin Pilot and former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Singh.
Leaders like RLSP’s Upendra Kushwaha and HAM(S) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi also wished him a long and blessed life. LJP chief Chirag Paswan extended his birthday greetings through Twitter handle to which Tejashwi replied: “Dhanyvad bhai”.
RJD spokesperson Chitranjan Gagan said the party had already asked its workers to let the birthday celebration be a simple affair. A day before, RJD through a tweet had asked its supporters not to gather at Tejashwi’s residence to wish him in person.
Keeping in mind the instruction from the party, RJD youth wing members celebrated Tejashwi’s birthday amongst themselves. “Bhayya (Tejashwi) did not want any pomp and show. So, respecting his feelings, we celebrated his birthday among ourselves. He is an ideal and hope for youths like us,” said RJD youth wing member Akash Rai, who with other members cut a cake and distributed sweets among the poor.
In spite of a request from the party not to reach the 10, Circular Road residence of Rabri Devi, several workers could be spotted with bouquets and cake outside it. Posters had also donned the state capital with birthday wishes to Tejashwi, who was portrayed in some of the posters as an avatar of Lord Krishna.