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Lalu Prasad Yadav Expels Son Tej Pratap Yadav from RJD for 6 Years Over Public Misconduct, Defamation
In a dramatic political development that underscores deepening tensions within one of Bihar’s most influential political families, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Sunday expelled his elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, from the party for six years. The move follows a recent controversy involving Tej Pratap’s social media post that created a storm within both political and public circles.
The former Bihar minister had posted images of a woman on social media, claiming a long-standing 12-year relationship with her. The post went viral and was met with widespread criticism, especially since Tej Pratap’s marriage with Aishwarya Rai, the granddaughter of former Bihar CM Daroga Prasad Rai, is still legally intact and undergoing divorce proceedings.
Shortly after the uproar, Tej Pratap deleted the post from his official X (formerly Twitter) account, claiming that his account had been hacked. “The pictures had been edited in a malicious way to defame me and harass my family. I request everyone to not believe such rumors,” he stated.
However, the damage had been done. RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav, once known for his indulgence towards his sons’ antics, took a hardline stance this time. He issued a public statement distancing himself and the party from Tej Pratap’s actions.
“My elder son’s behavior, conduct in public life, and recent actions are not aligned with our family’s values or the principles of the party,” said Lalu in a post on X. “Disregard for moral discipline weakens our struggle for social justice. I am expelling Tej Pratap Yadav from the party and from our family for six years.”
The expulsion is widely perceived as the RJD’s attempt to project a clean image ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections later this year. The ruling BJP and its ally Janata Dal (United) had already begun targeting the RJD over the issue, accusing it of tolerating indiscipline and shielding problematic behavior within the party’s top brass.
Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu’s younger son and political heir apparent, backed the decision. “Discipline matters. Tej Pratap is an adult and free to make his decisions, but the party chief has acted as per RJD’s principles. We don’t question that,” said Tejashwi, emphasizing that public and private life must be kept separate when one is in public service.
Tej Pratap, 37, has a history of controversial remarks and impulsive behavior. He had previously clashed with senior RJD leaders, including state RJD chief Jagdanand Singh, a long-time confidant of Lalu and mentor to Tejashwi. His resentment toward Tejashwi’s rising prominence within the party has also been well documented, adding fuel to speculation about factionalism within the family.
RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav reiterated the party’s stance, stating that “the party cannot afford to be associated with indiscipline or irresponsible actions, regardless of the stature of the person involved.”
From the BJP camp, national spokesperson Nikhil Anand criticized Tej Pratap for keeping his alleged long-term relationship a secret while still being legally married. “He owes an apology to the family of Aishwarya Rai,” he said, calling the behavior disgraceful and unbecoming of a public servant.
Tej Pratap had recently attempted to carve out a separate ideological identity by floating the “Dharmanirpeksha Sevak Sangh,” seen by many as his counter to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological backbone of the BJP. His ambition to gain more prominence within RJD was no secret, but Sunday’s development has drastically altered his trajectory.
This isn’t the first instance of familial discord in Lalu’s political life. His brothers-in-law, Sadhu Yadav and Subhash Yadav, both former MPs, also left the RJD following ideological and personal clashes with Lalu and his wife, Rabri Devi, herself a former chief minister of Bihar.
Once a dominant force in Bihar politics, RJD’s grip on power has seen fluctuations. It lost power in 2005 and made comebacks as part of grand alliances—first from 2015 to 2017, and more recently from August 2022 to January 2024. With assembly elections around the corner, the party appears to be sending a strong message: image, discipline, and ethics will not be sacrificed—even for family.
This expulsion marks perhaps the most public and politically significant split within the Yadav clan yet, as Lalu Prasad Yadav prioritizes party discipline over blood ties.
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