In a recent interview with NDTV, Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of former Bihar Chief Ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, asserted that he is being targeted by political opponents because they recognize him as the future Lalu Yadav. This declaration comes amidst a turbulent period in his political career, marked by expulsion from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and controversies surrounding his personal life.
Tej Pratap, who was born on April 16, 1988, in Gopalganj, Bihar, has often been in the public eye, sometimes for reasons beyond his political деятельности. He previously served as a cabinet minister in the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government, holding the Environment, Forest, and Climate Change portfolio. Despite his ministerial role and current position as an MLA, he has frequently been embroiled in controversies and known for what some consider unusual public behavior.
His personal life has also attracted significant media attention. His marriage to Aishwarya Rai in 2018, the granddaughter of former Bihar CM Daroga Rai, ended in turmoil, with a public dispute between the two families. Allegations and counter-allegations flew, further contributing to Tej Pratap's estrangement from the RJD's core leadership. More recently, a Facebook post where he claimed a 12-year relationship with another woman led to his expulsion from the RJD, with his father, Lalu Yadav, citing "irresponsible behavior" and a failure to uphold family values. Tej Pratap has since claimed his social media account was hacked and the post was a conspiracy to defame him.
Despite these challenges, Tej Pratap remains steadfast in his political ambitions. In the NDTV interview, he drew parallels to the Mahabharata, referencing Krishna's strategic actions against his adversaries. He affirmed his commitment to serving the people, stating his intention to tour his constituency and address their concerns. He also announced plans to hold "Janta Darbar" (public gatherings) to listen to the issues of the citizens.
When questioned about his expulsion from the RJD, Tej Pratap acknowledged the pain it caused but insisted it would not deter him. He emphasized his deep respect for his parents, whom he considers his guiding force. He also voiced his support for his younger brother, Tejashwi Yadav, who is widely seen as Lalu Yadav's political heir, expressing his hope and blessing for Tejashwi to become the Chief Minister.
Tej Pratap also addressed his relationship with Akhilesh Yadav, highlighting their family connection through Tej Pratap's sister's marriage into the Yadav family. He described their communication as positive and maintained that they have strong personal relations.
While acknowledging the existence of conspiracies against him, Tej Pratap remained defiant, stating that he would respond to his enemies through his work and dedication to the people. He portrayed himself as a victim of political machinations, suggesting that his rivals fear his growing influence and potential to follow in his father's footsteps. His assertion that he is being targeted because he is perceived as the next Lalu Yadav underscores his ambition and his belief in his ability to connect with the masses, similar to his father.
