Patna: In a dramatic political and personal fallout, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has expelled his elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, from the party for six years and has also removed him from the family.
RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav’s ex-wife, Aishwarya Rai, broke her silence on May 26, questioning the timing of his expulsion and accusing the family of ruining her life.
Speaking to reporters in Patna, Rai said, “Why was my life ruined? Why was I beaten? Now they have suddenly had a social awakening. They are all together. They have not separated. The elections are near, so they have taken such a step and created this drama.”
Tej Pratap had married Aishwarya Rai, the granddaughter of former Bihar Chief Minister Daroga Rai. However, the marriage was short-lived. After a few months, Aishwarya left the Yadav household, alleging that she had been driven out by her husband and his family members.
Her remarks come shortly after RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav expelled his elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, from the party for six years and reportedly cut off family ties, sparking speculation about internal family disputes and political motives.
Referring to her past trauma, Aishwarya Rai added, “Everyone knows what happened. If they (Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family) knew everything, then why did they get him married to me? Why was my life ruined? Why was I beaten? Where was their social justice when I was suffering?”
She also expressed shock at how she learned of her divorce, stating that she received information only through the media.
“I got information about my divorce from the media. I did not know what was going on,” she said.
In a direct accusation, she alleged, “Now that it is out, he has had an affair for 12 years and blaming the woman is the easiest way out. When will I get justice? I will continue my fight.”
#WATCH | Patna, Bihar: "… Why was my life ruined? Why was I beaten? Now they have suddenly had a social awakening. They are all together. They have not separated… The elections are near, that is why they have taken such a step and created this drama…," says RJD leader Tej… pic.twitter.com/DC2BXUdJO2
— ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2025
In a statement on X, Lalu Yadav said, “The activities, public behaviour, and irresponsible conduct of my eldest son are not in line with our family’s values and cultural ethos. Ignoring moral values in personal life weakens our collective struggle for social justice. The activities, public conduct and irresponsible behaviour of the eldest son are not per our family values and traditions.”
He further announced, “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 six years. He is capable of seeing the good and bad and merits and demerits of his personal life.”
JDU, BJP seeks cancellation of Vidhan Sabha membership of Tej Pratap
Meanwhile reacting to the development, Janata Dal (United) leader Neeraj Kumar on Monday said, “Tej Pratap is Lalu Yadav’s son. This is not the first time he has shown indiscipline. Lalu Yadav was silent when the crime was committed against the granddaughter of former Bihar CM, Daroga Prasad Rai.”
He further added, “Tejashwi Yadav should write to the Vidhan Sabha to cancel his membership. Lalu Prasad Yadav said that he has been expelled from the party and removed from the house, and his son Tejashwi Yadav said that he is my elder brother. Don’t play with words. Apply for direct termination of membership.”
Adding to the criticism, JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar questioned Lalu Prasad Yadav’s sudden display of conscience, saying, “This is a matter of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family. When the granddaughter of Bihar’s famous politician Daroga Prasad Rai was thrown out of the house, did your culture not awaken? And now, suddenly, your conscience has awakened?”
Neeraj also mocked the ‘contradictory’ messaging within the Yadav family. “Tejashwi Yadav says that Tej Pratap Yadav is our elder brother. What kind of cat-and-mouse game is this?” he said, calling it a political spectacle.
Taking a broader cultural stance, he concluded, “Respecting daughters has been the culture of this country — not just the politics of Bihar.”
Echoing Kumar’s view Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nikhil Anand on X said “LaluJi’s family and his party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, washed their hands off Tej Pratap’s unethical acts by showing him the door. But many question remains unanswered. It’s also very clear that Lalu Yadav is doing an eyewash. Laluji expelled Tej Pratap from his home and party citing his son’s immoral act. If there is so much objection to Tej Pratap, then why doesn’t Lalu Prasadji writes to the Bihar Assembly Speaker to end his membership?”
"LaluJi's family and his party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, washed their hands off Tej Pratap's unethical acts by showing him the door. But many question remains unanswered. It's also very clear that Lalu Yadav is doing an eyewash. Laluji expelled Tej Pratap from his home and party…
— Dr. Nikhil Anand (@NikhilAnandBJP) May 26, 2025
“It seems that the action is taken against Tej Pratap after taking him into confidence and arriving at a consensus within the family? Is the action against Tej Pratap an attempt to save RJD’s politics? Is the action against Tej Pratap just a political show-off? The question of self-respect and dignity to Aishwarya Rai and her family still remains unanswered,” he added.
The expulsion came after former Bihar Minister Tej Pratap Yadav on Saturday claimed that his Facebook account was hacked, following a post that claimed he was in a long-term relationship with a woman. The post prompted netizens to recall his marital dispute that made headlines a few years ago.
(With inputs from agencies)
