Congress leader and Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, Sonia Gandhi, visited Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav at the Delhi residence of his daughter, Misa Bharti, on Monday. The visit was primarily aimed at inquiring about the health of the 78-year-old RJD leader, who has been in the national capital for specialised medical consultations.
The veteran politician was previously receiving treatment and remained under observation at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in Patna. Following his recent transfer to Delhi, he is currently undergoing further medical attention at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). His younger son, Tejashwi Yadav, was present during the meeting, facilitating the interaction between the two senior political figures.
During their conversation, the leaders reportedly revisited the history of their political alliance, particularly focusing on the years of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government between 2004 and 2014. Tejashwi Yadav later shared images of the meeting on social media platform X, highlighting the cooperation that defined that decade. Both Lalu Prasad and Sonia Gandhi reflected on various welfare initiatives launched during that period, which they noted were aimed at supporting farmers, the youth, soldiers, and the broader public.
The discussion touched upon landmark legislations introduced under the UPA government, including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Right to Education (RTE) Act, and the Right to Information (RTI) Act. In a separate social media post, the RJD chief also recalled the financial allocations made during the tenure of the Manmohan Singh-led administration, noting that more than Rs 1.45 lakh crore had been directed toward the development of Bihar.
Beyond the personal visit, the meeting underscored the continuing ties between the two parties as part of the broader INDIA bloc coalition. Following the meeting, Tejashwi Yadav addressed the political climate, specifically commenting on the opposition's ongoing stance regarding the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar. He emphasized that the opposition alliance remained committed to its campaign, stating that they would not remain silent until appropriate action is taken.
Tejashwi also utilized the opportunity to respond to criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding a recent rally held by the INDIA bloc at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan. When asked about the ruling party’s characterization of the event as a failure, Tejashwi questioned the intensity of the BJP's reaction, suggesting that such focus indicated a level of unease within the ruling camp. He argued that the opposition’s persistence highlights significant political dissatisfaction and that the rally served to express collective concerns.
As the RJD leader continues his medical care, his family and political associates remain active in the capital's political sphere. The meeting between Gandhi and Yadav serves as a reminder of the long-standing political relationships that continue to influence the current national discourse. While the primary purpose of the gathering was to assess the health of the former Bihar Chief Minister, it simultaneously reaffirmed the strategic alignment of the parties involved as they look toward future political engagements and continue their critique of the current governance structure.
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