Ajay Kumar
Bihar’s political landscape has once again reached a crossroads where personal relationships, family disputes, and the battle for power appear to be deeply entangled. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and veteran Bihar leader Lalu Prasad Yadav has expelled his elder son Tej Pratap Yadav from the party and family for six years. This decision is as shocking as it is potentially far-reaching in its impact on Bihar politics. Tej Pratap’s political career has always been mired in controversy, but this time the issue has escalated from a personal relationship to public embarrassment, party discipline, and even a constitutional crisis.
Tej Pratap Yadav recently shared a post on his social media account featuring pictures of his alleged marriage with a young woman named Anushka Yadav. In these images, both appeared dressed in wedding attire, accompanied by an emotional caption claiming that this love story was 12 years old and had now culminated in marriage. The revelation caused a stir on social media, created upheaval in political circles, and dominated media discussions about Tej Pratap’s “secret wedding.” However, within hours, Tej Pratap released a video stating that his Instagram account had been hacked and the images were fake and edited. He did not, however, clarify where the pictures originated from, who created them, or what his relationship with Anushka Yadav truly was.
Rather than resolving the issue, Tej Pratap’s explanation only deepened the controversy. Old videos and photos of him with Anushka Yadav had already gone viral on social media. Several reports began confirming their authenticity, with some suggesting that the two had married years ago in an Arya Samaj temple and that Anushka could now legally claim to be his wife. On the other hand, Tej Pratap’s divorce case with his first wife Aishwarya Rai is still pending in court. Aishwarya is the granddaughter of former Chief Minister Daroga Rai and the daughter of senior Congress leader Chandrika Rai. Thus, Tej Pratap’s second marriage cannot be considered legal. Under the Hindu Marriage Act, a second marriage without finalizing the first divorce is considered a criminal offense, which could also jeopardize Tej Pratap’s legislative seat.
Lalu Prasad Yadav took the matter very seriously and expelled Tej Pratap from the party for six years. He justified the decision as essential for preserving the dignity of the party and the family. Lalu stated that Tej Pratap’s actions had not only tarnished the party’s image but also violated the principles of social justice that RJD has championed for decades. With this move, Lalu has made it clear that he intends to pass on his political legacy to Tejashwi Yadav rather than Tej Pratap, and that he has grown weary of Tej Pratap’s erratic behavior, statements, and controversies.
This decision has also opened up new political possibilities. Opposition parties like the BJP and JD(U) seized the opportunity to make sharp remarks about the Lalu family’s discord. JD(U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan said the entire episode was an attempt to mislead the public and gain sympathy, accusing the Lalu family of staging drama for power. Senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain commented that Tej Pratap’s conduct evoked memories of “jungle raj,” a term often used to criticize Lalu’s rule in Bihar. These statements make it evident that the opposition intends to keep this issue alive until the 2025 assembly elections.
Tej Pratap’s expulsion has also brought his younger brother and former Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav’s role into sharper focus. Currently seen as the strongest and most widely accepted leader of the RJD, Tejashwi is the Leader of the Opposition and a prime candidate for the chief minister’s post in the upcoming elections. Tejashwi made it clear that the party would not tolerate any indiscipline. His stance not only demonstrates his leadership ability but also signals his firm grip over the organization. Some political analysts believe that Tej Pratap was beginning to feel insecure due to Tejashwi’s rising popularity and control over the party, which may have driven him to repeatedly engage in antics and make statements that damaged the party’s image.
Tej Pratap’s political journey has been peculiar from the start. In 2015, when the RJD-JD(U)-Congress grand alliance came to power and Nitish Kumar became Chief Minister, Tej Pratap was appointed Health Minister. However, his performance in the department, immature statements, and eccentric appearances kept him in constant limelight. He portrayed himself as “Krishna,” shared images of himself grazing cows and meditating in forests, and even accused officials in his own government of corruption. He frequently clashed with his brother Tejashwi. In 2020, he won from Hasanpur but gradually became irrelevant within the party structure.
This latest incident could be the most serious crisis in Tej Pratap’s political career. With his expulsion, he can neither contest elections nor aspire for any party position. No senior RJD leader has voiced support for him so far, indicating that he stands completely isolated within the organization. Moreover, if this controversy takes a legal turn, he might even lose his legislative seat.
This isn’t the first time a father has expelled his son from a political party. Earlier, in the Samajwadi Party, Mulayam Singh Yadav had announced the expulsion of his son Akhilesh Yadav. However, within months, Akhilesh took charge of the party and is now its undisputed leader. But Tej Pratap’s position is far from similar. He lacks organizational control and grassroots support. Within the Lalu family too, it is now evident that Tejashwi is the chosen political heir.
This entire episode has surfaced at a crucial time, as preparations for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections are underway. Opposition unity, caste census, employment, education, and inflation are among the key issues being used to target the central government. In such a scenario, the Tej Pratap episode could weaken RJD’s political strategy. Tejashwi Yadav will now have to assure not just the public but also party workers and allies that the party is disciplined and its leadership is stable and responsible.
Tej Pratap Yadav’s alleged love story and the ensuing controversy have grown beyond an individual’s personal life and are now affecting the broader political landscape. It underscores how a leader’s personal conduct and public image are interconnected, and how internal family disputes can impact an entire party’s credibility. By taking a stern stand, Lalu Prasad Yadav has signaled that he aims to reshape the party with a focus on discipline, integrity, and leadership capacity. For Tej Pratap, this isn’t just a warning it’s the biggest challenge of his political career. It remains to be seen whether he makes any effort to recover from this crisis or continues to push himself further to the margins. The people of Bihar, political observers, and rival parties are all closely watching the developments, as this incident is bound to influence upcoming elections and the state’s political narrative.
