In a significant political development, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has expelled his elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, from both the party and the family for six years. The decision, announced on May 25, 2025, stems from what Lalu described as Tej Pratap's "irresponsible behaviour" and actions that contravened the family's values and traditions.
The immediate trigger for this drastic action was a Facebook post by Tej Pratap, wherein he declared a 12-year-long relationship with a woman named Anushka Yadav. The post included photographs and a caption stating their long-standing love. Although Tej Pratap later claimed his account was hacked and the post was unauthorized, the damage had been done.
The expulsion has elicited varied responses within the Yadav family. Rohini Acharya, Lalu's daughter, publicly supported her father's decision, stating, "For us, Papa is like God, family is our temple and pride... We will never accept that the reputation of these three is tarnished due to anyone."
Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap's younger brother and a prominent RJD leader, also backed the move, asserting that the party cannot tolerate actions that compromise its values.
Lalu Prasad Yadav, in a statement on social media platform X, emphasized that ignoring moral values in personal life undermines the collective struggle for social justice. He stated that Tej Pratap's activities and public conduct were not in line with the family's values and traditions, leading to his expulsion from both the party and the family.
Adding another layer to the controversy, Aishwarya Rai, Tej Pratap's estranged wife, criticized the expulsion as a political stunt aimed at salvaging the party's image ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. She questioned why the family remained silent during her alleged sufferings, including claims of domestic abuse, and only acted now when political stakes are high.
Tej Pratap Yadav has a history of forming independent political outfits, such as Tej Sena and Dharm Nirpeksha Sevak Sangh. With his expulsion from RJD, there is speculation that he may contest the upcoming Bihar elections as an independent candidate, potentially posing a challenge to the RJD's electoral prospects.
This internal rift within one of Bihar's most influential political families could have significant ramifications in the state's political landscape, especially with elections on the horizon.