Lalu Yadav Expels Tej Pratap from Party and Family: Viral Photos Ignite Political Firestorm in RJD, Bihar
Patna, Bihar (May 25, 2025): In a stunning and unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves through Bihar’s political landscape, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav today announced the expulsion of his elder son, MLA Tej Pratap Yadav, from the party for six years and, in a deeply personal blow, also disowned him from the family.
The dramatic development, confirmed by Lalu Prasad Yadav himself via a detailed Facebook post, signifies a severe crisis within the RJD and is set to have far-reaching implications. The news that Lalu Yadav expels Tej Pratap from party and family has left political circles.
Viral Photos and Videos: The Apparent Trigger
The immediate catalyst for this drastic action appears to be the recent circulation of photos and videos on social media featuring Tej Pratap Yadav with a woman identified as Anushka Yadav. These visuals, depicting them in seemingly close moments, quickly led to widespread speculation among users about Tej Pratap entering into a second marriage.
The situation escalated when a post allegedly from Tej Pratap’s Facebook account on Saturday evening stated, “I have been in a relationship with Anushka Yadav for 12 years.”
While this post was deleted shortly after, Tej Pratap, approximately five hours later, took to his ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) account, claiming his Facebook account had been hacked and that the post was fake and the photos doctored. However, his denial was swiftly countered by the emergence of six more photos and two videos online, with claims these depicted everything from a marriage ceremony to a Karwa Chauth celebration involving Tej Pratap and Anushka Yadav.
Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Forceful Facebook Statement
In his emotional yet firm Facebook post, Lalu Prasad Yadav elaborated on the painful decision. “Disregard for moral values in personal life weakens our collective struggle for social justice,” he wrote. “The activities, public conduct, and irresponsible behavior of my elder son are not in line with our family values and principles. Therefore, under the prevailing circumstances, I am distancing him from the party and the family. Henceforth, he will have no role whatsoever in the party or family. He is expelled from the party for six years.”
Lalu further added a message regarding his son: “He is capable of discerning the good and bad, and the merits and demerits of his personal life. Whoever maintains relations with him should do so at their own discretion. I have always been an advocate for public decorum in public life. The obedient members of my family have embraced and followed this idea in their public lives. Thank you.”
This direct statement underscores the gravity of the situation where Lalu Yadav expels Tej Pratap from party and family.
Reactions from Family and Political Spectrum
The decision has elicited sharp and varied reactions:
- Aishwarya Rai’s Mother (Poonam Rai): Tej Pratap’s estranged wife, Aishwarya Rai (granddaughter of former Bihar CM Daroga Rai, with whom Tej Pratap’s divorce case is ongoing), her mother Poonam Rai, when contacted, stated, “We knew all this beforehand. Everyone knows, what’s hidden in this? No further comment.”
- Tejashwi Yadav: Leader of Opposition and Tej Pratap’s younger brother, Tejashwi Yadav, offered a measured response, stating he does not tolerate such matters and his party is working diligently for the people of Bihar. “If it’s about my elder brother, political life and personal life are different. He has every right to make his personal decisions. He is independent… Our party president has made his feelings clear… I also got to know about this through the media.”
- Rohini Acharya: Lalu Yadav’s daughter, Rohini Acharya, posted a cryptic message on ‘X’, widely interpreted as a critique of her brother: “Those who respect the dignity of their environment, tradition, family, and upbringing are never questioned. Those who abandon their discretion and repeatedly err by transgressing dignified conduct and family prestige, make themselves.
- Political Parties: Congress spokesperson Snehashish Vardhan termed it a message delivered by Lalu Yadav on moral grounds and a personal family matter. In contrast, BJP spokesperson Arvind Kumar Singh launched an attack, saying, “Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi have deceived everyone close to them, be it the people of Bihar or their own family. He has divided the family by creating differences between his two sons.”
The Road Ahead for RJD and Bihar Politics
The decision that Lalu Yadav expels Tej Pratap from party and family is not merely an internal family dispute but a significant political event. It threatens to create factions within the RJD, given Tej Pratap’s own base of support, however erratic his conduct. The move could also impact the already fragile opposition unity in Bihar and provide ammunition to political rivals. The long-term consequences for the RJD’s leadership succession and the Yadav family’s political rivals. The long-term consequences for the RJD’s leadership succession and the Yadav family’s political dominance remain to be seen, as this development introduces a fresh layer of unpredictability into Bihar’s dynamic political theatre