Hema Malini, Kangana are…’: Lalu Yadav’s daughter Rohini Acharya slams BJP over ‘dancer’ remark aimed at RJD candidate Khesari Lal Yadav, sparking political row and media attention
In a sharp and public retaliation against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rohini Acharya — elder daughter of former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and prominent figure in the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) — has called out the ruling party’s jibes at Bhojpuri actor-politician Khesari Lal Yadav, describing them as hypocritical and indicative of a double standard in political discourse.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the row, its background, and what it means for Bihar politics ahead of the election season.
Background: The ‘Dancer’ Jibe & the Spark
The issue was ignited when Khesari Lal Yadav, a popular Bhojpuri actor-turned-politician, was fielded by the RJD as a candidate from Chapra constituency in Bihar. The BJP responded by referring to him dismissively as a “nachaniya” (Hindi for dancer), implying that his background as an entertainer made him unfit for political office.
Rohini Acharya, in turn, responded forcefully:
“BJP people are calling Khesari Yadav a nachaniya. But what about the people in their party? Manoj Tiwari, Ravi Kishan, Hema Malini, aren’t they dancers too?” She also included mention of actress-politician Kangana Ranaut among those associated with the BJP from the film and entertainment world.
By making this retort, Acharya sought to highlight what she described as double-standards in the BJP’s approach: deriding one actor-politician from another party while embracing similar profiles within the BJP’s own ranks.
What Did Rohini Acharya Say?
During her rebuttal, Acharya made several pointed observations:
She accused the BJP of using entertainers (“dancers”) for crowd-pulling during campaigns while simultaneously mocking the RJD’s decision to field one.
She insisted she was not making a political comeback (despite speculation) but was speaking out to defend the dignity of her party’s candidate and her family’s reputation.
She referred to the broader culture of what she called insult-politics, where personal sacrifices (such as her kidney donation to her father) were brought into the public domain by opponents.
Her key message:
“They use these same artists to gather crowds because no one comes to hear their speeches.” (Alta quote derived)
Why This Matters: Bigger Picture in Bihar Politics
This row isn’t just about an insult or two — it reflects deeper undercurrents in Bihar’s political battleground:
Image politics: Film-stars turned politicians have wide appeal in Bihar’s social and mass-media terrain. The BJP’s attempt to belittle Khesari Yadav backfired when the RJD turned it into a memorable stick.
Family & legacy narratives: Rohini Acharya is herself part of a high-profile political family. Her re-entry into the public/political conversation via this row signals the RJD’s intent to leverage both lineage and contemporary symbolism.
Humiliation vs. dignity: The jibe at Khesari Yadav raised debates about whether entertainers deserve political respect. Acharya’s intervention framed it as more than an insult — it was a question of political equality and respect for diverse backgrounds.
Elections ahead: With the Bihar Assembly polls looming and alliances shifting, commentators note that such rows help solidify party bases, mobilise catharsis among supporters, and draw attention away from programmatic issues to symbolic battles.
Reactions & Fallout
From the BJP
The BJP, when approached via its Bihar wing, has chosen not to escalate the rhetoric publicly beyond standard lines of defending its candidates and criticising the RJD’s “populist theatrics”. However, internal sources acknowledge that the jibe has attracted unintended attention.
From the RJD & Its Supporters
The RJD viewed the incident as an opportunity to vilify the BJP’s perceived elitism. Thousands of supporters picked up Acharya’s phrase – “artists who dance for crowds” – and turned it into campaign memes and social-media posts.
Among Political Analysts
Political analysts have offered various takes:
Some call this a distraction tactic, shifting focus from core issues of governance in Bihar (employment, education, migration).
Others view it as strategic identity politics, given the penchant of Bhojpuri cinema and actor-politicians in the region.
A caution: Over-emphasis on personality could dilute issue-based discourse, hindering public policy debates.
What Rohini Acharya’s Move Signifies for Her Career
While she emphasized she has no immediate ambition for a political comeback, this episode suggests she is re-positioning herself:
As a guardian of the family’s public image, stepping up in defence of her father’s legacy.
As a visible voice in the party’s communications strategy, not just an aloof figure.
Possibly setting the stage for renewed entry into frontline politics depending on electoral outcomes.
Her taking of a kidney donation public-story (to her father Lalu Yadav) has been part of this narrative of sacrifice, service and legacy.
Key Quotes
“BJP people are calling Khesari Yadav a nachaniya. But what about the people in their party? … Hema Malini, Kangana Ranaut, aren’t they dancers too?” — Rohini Acharya
“I am Lalu ji’s daughter. I will answer every lowly thought and lowly word of persons having low characters in the people’s court.” — Rohini Acharya (in context of kidney-ticket remark row)
Contextual Snapshot
Date of remarks: 30 October 2025.
Trigger event: BJP’s “nachaniya” remark about Khesari Yadav.
Medium: Social media posts, press conferences, headlines.
Location significance: Bihar – where caste, cinema and regional politics converge powerfully.
Implications Going Forward
The tone of campaign discourse may shift further into personal jibes and symbolic battles, reducing focus on policy.
The RJD’s appeal among film-affiliated voters may strengthen if Bollywood-and-Bhojpuri connections are emphasised.
For the BJP, the episode may raise vulnerability over consistency in critiquing dynastic politics while having many film-industry associates itself.
Voters may react to the style of politics (insult vs dignity) as much as to content, potentially rewarding those seen as standing up for respect.
What Might Happen Next
Further escalation of personal attacks, as both sides push for media traction ahead of elections.
Possible legal notices or defamation notices, given the sharp wording (as seen elsewhere in Bihar politics).
Strategic deployment of film-industry emotional narratives (actors, children, fans) into political campaigns.
Decision-time for Rohini Acharya: whether this serves purely as a public-relations role or leads to a full-scale political re-entry.
Final Word
In this carefully timed retort, Rohini Acharya didn’t just defend a party candidate — she struck at a broader cultural critique of politics: who gets to enter politics, who is mocked, and what kind of respect is accorded to entertainers-turned-politicians. By pointing the finger at big-name BJP actors and the film-industry pathway inside the BJP, she forced the ruling party to respond to its own contradictions.
Whether this becomes a turning point in Bihar’s election narrative remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: the battle over respect, symbolism and representation has shifted from the background to the centre stage. And in that shift, Rohini Acharya has found her voice once again.
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