In the arena of Indian politics, where familial ties often intertwine with party loyalties, instances of prominent leaders expelling their own sons or daughters from their political parties, though infrequent, highlight the complex dynamics at play. Such decisions underscore the supremacy of party interests, ideological differences, or disciplinary concerns over familial bonds.

One recent instance is that of PMK founder S Ramadoss expelling his son, Anbumani Ramadoss, from the party. This move, which occurred months before the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in 2026, was attributed to Anbumani's "anti-party activities". The father-son feud had been simmering for over a year, erupting when Ramadoss appointed his grandson (daughter's son) as chief of the PMK's youth wing, a move Anbumani openly opposed. The conflict escalated, leading to Ramadoss reclaiming the party president's post and demoting Anbumani. Ramadoss accused Anbumani of planting a bug in his office and called him a "weed". He also alleged that Anbumani's actions caused distress to party functionaries and cadres and that he lacked the qualifications to be a politician.

Another instance involves K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), the former Chief Minister of Telangana, who suspended his daughter, K Kavitha, from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Kavitha's expulsion followed her public criticism of her cousins, T Harish Rao and Santosh Kumar, for allegedly tarnishing KCR's image in connection with the Kaleshwaram project. Kavitha alleged that her cousins had a tacit understanding with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to defame her father, especially after the Revanth Reddy government ordered a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project. This action was seen as damaging to the party, leading to her suspension. There had been a long-standing tussle between K Kavitha and her brother KTR over succession in Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS).

These instances echo similar events in the past. The Chautala family of Haryana has witnessed expulsions and factionalism within the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). Similarly, Lalu Prasad Yadav of Bihar has had to make tough decisions regarding his children's roles in the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Mulayam Singh Yadav of Uttar Pradesh also experienced internal strife within the Samajwadi Party, leading to rifts with his son Akhilesh Yadav at various points.

Such decisions by party leaders to expel their own children often stem from a combination of factors. Ideological differences, defiance of party lines, or concerns about maintaining discipline within the ranks can all contribute. In some cases, these expulsions may also be driven by a desire to prevent the establishment of a family dynasty or to ensure that the party's interests are not compromised by individual ambitions.

The expulsion of a son or daughter from a political party is never an easy decision for a family head. It can lead to emotional turmoil, public scrutiny, and potential damage to the party's image. However, these decisions also demonstrate the leaders' commitment to upholding the principles and discipline of their parties, even at the cost of familial harmony. Often, these actions reflect a desire to maintain control, prevent factionalism, or address concerns about the conduct or loyalty of family members within the party structure.