Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, has signaled a significant shift in his political trajectory after being expelled from the RJD. He recently held a rally in Mahua, his former constituency, under a new banner, seemingly distancing himself from the party founded by his father.
In a bold move, Tej Pratap and his supporters were seen carrying a green-and-white flag emblazoned with "Team Tej Pratap Yadav". This rebranding effort suggests a potential independent political journey or the formation of a new party. During the rally, Tej Pratap declared his intention to act according to the will of the people, stating he would contest elections from wherever the public demands. The specific party he might align with remains to be seen.
This marks Tej Pratap Yadav's first public appearance since parting ways with the RJD and his immediate political family. Donning a green turban and traditional attire, he led a roadshow through Mahua, receiving a warm reception from enthusiastic supporters. He emphasized that his visit aimed to showcase development work and reconnect with the people of Mahua, where he had promised a medical college.
Tej Pratap's expulsion from the RJD came after a controversial Facebook post surfaced, which led to public outrage and internal discontent within the party. The post in question featured a photograph of Tej Pratap with a woman named Anushka Yadav, with a caption claiming a 12-year-long relationship. This post drew criticism, given his marriage in 2018 to Aishwarya Rai, which later ended in allegations of domestic abuse.
Following the controversy, Lalu Prasad Yadav expelled Tej Pratap from the party and family, citing "irresponsible behavior". Lalu Yadav stated that his son's actions were not in accordance with family values and traditions, leading to his removal from the party for six years.
In response to his expulsion, Tej Pratap alleged a conspiracy by RJD insiders. He claimed that certain individuals plotted against him and that his life was under threat. Despite these allegations, he reiterated his support for his younger brother, Tejashwi Yadav, as the next Chief Minister of Bihar.
Tejashwi Yadav acknowledged his brother's right to make personal decisions but affirmed his father's decision regarding the expulsion, stating that the party could not tolerate "such things". He emphasized the party's dedication to the people of Bihar and the importance of upholding moral values.