Lalu Prasad Drops the Hammer: Tej Pratap Expelled from RJD and Family for ‘Irresponsible Behaviour’

In a surprising turnabout for the politics of Bihar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad Yadav on Sunday expelled his elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, from the party and family for six years on grounds of "irresponsible conduct" and a lack of family values. The historic move on Monday comes on the heels of Tej Pratap, who was an MLA and a former minister, posting social media snaps recounting a 12-year romance with woman Anushka Yadav. The post had ignited political and personal storm, especially following Tej Pratap later claiming his account had been hacked and the snaps photoshopped to shame him and his family.

 

Lalu Prasad, in his statement on X, said, "Neglecting moral principles in personal life undermines our joint struggle for social justice. My older son's activities, public behavior and irresponsible conduct are not in accordance with our family traditions and values. I am thus keeping him away from the party and family. He will not be involved in any way in the party and family for six years.".

 

The ouster of Uma Bharti is viewed as the RJD's move to strengthen its probity image before the all-important Bihar assembly elections. Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of Opposition and Tej Pratap's younger brother, has supported the action, and Lalu's daughter Rohini also publicly endorsed her father's action.

 

Source: Hindustan Times