A major rift has emerged within Bihar's influential Yadav family as former chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has disowned his son Tej Pratap Yadav and expelled him from the party for six years. The drastic action follows a controversial social media post about Tej Pratap's alleged girlfriend, with whom he reportedly has been in a relationship for 12 years.
However, he later deleted the post, alleging his account had been hacked and the image doctored.
The family feud became public on Sunday when Lalu Yadav announced his decision, sending shockwaves through Bihar's political circles. The patriarch's announcement has divided the family, with several members rallying behind his decision while distancing themselves from Tej Pratap's conduct.
Lalu Yadav's daughter, Rohini Acharya, strongly backed her father's decision and criticised her brother's behaviour. "Those who maintain regard for their environment, traditions, family, and upbringing are never questioned. But those who abandon their discretion and repeatedly commit the mistake - the audacity - of crossing the boundaries of dignified conduct and family prestige, make themselves targets of criticism," she stated.
Rohini further emphasised the family's reverence for their patriarch, saying, "For us, Papa is like a deity, our family is our temple and pride, and the party built through Papa's relentless efforts and struggles, along with the concept of social justice, is our worship. We can never accept any blemish on the prestige of these three due to anyone's actions."
Akhilesh Yadav Weighs In, Then Deletes Post
The controversy drew attention from beyond Bihar when Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav responded to the family dispute. Initially, Akhilesh suggested the incident might be the result of social media hacking, writing about the concerning nature of cybercrime and its potential misuse against political figures.
"It is concerning news that a member of a prominent political family from Bihar has had their social media hacked, and false content has been published using their photographs," Akhilesh had posted, calling for stronger government action against cybercriminals. However, he soon deleted the post, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding drama.
Political Implications
The internal strife within one of Bihar's most powerful political dynasties could have significant ramifications for the RJD and the broader political landscape in the state. Tej Pratap Yadav, who has held ministerial positions in the past, now finds himself ostracized from both family and party due to what family members describe as behavior that has "caused harm to family and party" reputation.
The six-year expulsion from the party effectively sidelines Tej Pratap from active politics, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the politician who was once considered a key figure in the RJD's future plans.
