By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: The family of the late Mohammad Shahabuddin, former MP from Siwan and prominent RJD leader, has rejoined the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). On Sunday, Shahabuddin’s wife, Hina Shahab, and his son, Osama Shahab, arrived at Tejashwi Yadav’s residence in Patna. Accompanied by their supporters, they were formally inducted into the RJD by party supremo Lalu Yadav, in the presence of Tejashwi Yadav and numerous senior party leaders. Osama symbolically wore the RJD cap, signifying his entry into the party.
This reunion has stirred Bihar’s political landscape once again. Following Mohammad Shahabuddin’s death, tensions had arisen between his family and the RJD leadership, namely Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav. Discussions persisted about Osama Shahab’s potential role in continuing his father’s political legacy, despite the fluctuating relationship between the Shahabuddin and Yadav families. However, with the upcoming assembly elections on the horizon, Hina Shahab and Osama have now returned to the RJD fold.
It is notable that Mohammad Shahabuddin maintained unwavering loyalty to RJD, particularly to Lalu Yadav, until his passing. Despite the subsequent strains, Hina Shahab ran independently from Siwan in this year’s Lok Sabha elections, where she finished second. RJD, however, lagged at third, with the seat ultimately claimed by a JD(U) candidate.
During the induction ceremony, Tejashwi Yadav highlighted Hina Shahab’s long-standing association with RJD, noting Shahabuddin’s legacy as a founding member and significant leader in the party. He announced that hundreds of supporters of Hina and Osama Shahab have also joined RJD, which he believes will strengthen the party’s influence in Siwan and across Bihar, spreading the message of social justice and secularism.
The Shahabuddin family’s re-entry into RJD has sparked political debate in Bihar. When asked about the development, Union Minister and former JD (U) president Lalan Singh commented, “It’s their decision whom they bring into the party, but this reflects their actions. They criticise us, yet they are doing the same.”