Lalu Prasad Expels Son Tej Pratap Yadav from RJD for Six Years Over ‘Irresponsible Behaviour’

On Sunday, May 25, 2025, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav announced the expulsion of his eldest son, Tej Pratap Yadav, from the party.

The decision, which carries a six-year suspension, was based on allegations of irresponsible behavior and violation of family values.

Official Statement by Lalu Prasad

Lalu Prasad issued a sharply worded statement on X (formerly Twitter), in which he criticized Tej Pratap’s conduct.

He stated, “Ignoring moral values in personal life weakens our collective struggle for social justice. The activities, public conduct and irresponsible behavior of the eldest son are not in accordance with our family values and traditions.

Therefore, due to the above circumstances, I remove him from the party and family. From now on, he will not have any role of any kind in the party and family. He is expelled from the party for 6 years.”

The announcement followed a controversial post on Tej Pratap’s Facebook profile, where he appeared with a woman, claiming they had been in a relationship for 12 years. Although the post was later deleted, the incident triggered widespread speculation.

Tej Pratap’s Clarification

Tej Pratap responded by claiming that his social media accounts were hacked. In a post on X, he said, “My social media platforms have been hacked and my pictures are being wrongly edited to harass and defame me and my family members. I appeal to my well-wishers and followers to be cautious and ignore rumours.”

A Controversial Political Journey

Tej Pratap’s political career has frequently been marred by controversies that have often overshadowed his contributions.

Entry into Politics and Cabinet Role

In 2015, he was appointed Bihar’s Health Minister. His tenure, however, attracted attention for unconventional practices, including consulting astrologers for official decisions and keeping a cow in his ministerial bungalow.

These incidents led to questions about his seriousness in administrative matters.

Personal Life and Public Disputes

His marriage to Aishwarya Rai, granddaughter of former Bihar Chief Minister Daroga Prasad Rai, ended in a public fallout. Aishwarya accused Tej Pratap and his family of domestic abuse.

She later alleged that he was a drug addict and claimed he often dressed as deities, including Radha, Krishna, and Shiva, asserting himself as their avatar.

Media and Party Tensions

During the 2019 general elections, a video showing his bodyguards allegedly assaulting a journalist went viral. Tej Pratap claimed it was a conspiracy against him.

In April 2019, he launched a separate political group called the Lalu-Rabri Morcha, expressing dissatisfaction with RJD’s functioning. Though he denied it was a breakaway faction, the move highlighted internal discord.

Meeting with Opposition-Aligned Leader

In June 2021, his meeting with Mukesh Sahani of the NDA-aligned Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) stirred controversy.

The timing, shortly after VIP’s announcement to contest panchayat polls independently, led to questions about Tej Pratap’s alignment with RJD strategy. Despite his dismissal of the speculation, doubts lingered about his intentions.

Holi Controversy and Public Backlash

In March 2025, a video emerged in which Tej Pratap was seen instructing his bodyguard, Constable Deepak Kumar, to dance during Holi celebrations, threatening suspension if he refused. The incident sparked outrage and accusations of power misuse.

Political Implications and Future of RJD

Tej Pratap’s expulsion carries considerable weight for Bihar’s political climate. His younger brother, Tejashwi Yadav, has increasingly become the party’s central figure in challenging the BJP-led NDA government.

The RJD is keen to showcase unity ahead of state elections, while the NDA may attempt to leverage the family rift for political gain.

As Bihar moves closer to its elections, the internal state of the RJD and the fallout from Tej Pratap’s expulsion are likely to play a crucial role in shaping the party’s prospects.