4 days ago
Last Updated:May 26, 2025, 12:54 IST
Though Lalu Yadav quickly expelled Tej Pratap from the RJD to control the damage, political commentators say the opposition will likely use the issue to their advantage
Tej Pratap Yadav recently posted several photos on social media, revealing his relationship with Anushka Yadav. (News18 Hindi)
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav’s elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, has sparked a political storm with his recent revelation of a 12-year relationship with a woman named Anushka Yadav, giving fresh ammunition to the opposition.
The timing is especially critical, with the Bihar assembly elections approaching and his younger brother, Tejashwi Yadav—former Deputy Chief Minister—emerging as a strong contender.
Political commentators suggest that, in an election year, this disclosure could raise difficult questions for the RJD, especially for Tejashwi Yadav who is often seen as the face of the party. Experts believe the controversy could renew focus on the Yadav family’s past decisions, especially Tej Pratap’s troubled marriage to Aishwarya Rai, granddaughter of former Bihar Chief Minister Daroga Rai, who also belonged to the Yadav community.
Analysts say the opposition is likely to use this controversy to question whether the RJD has lived up to the trust placed in it by the Yadav community, its traditional vote base.
Though Lalu Prasad Yadav has attempted to contain the fallout by swiftly expelling Tej Pratap from the RJD for six years, political commentators believe the opposition is likely to exploit the situation. According to analysts, the incident could raise uncomfortable questions about the Yadav family’s internal dynamics and their treatment of members, potentially affecting the party’s image and standing—particularly in a crucial election year.
In a series of developments that have stirred political waters, Tej Pratap Yadav—known for his unconventional behaviour—recently posted several photos on social media, revealing his relationship with Anushka Yadav, suggesting they have been together since 2013. The images, which quickly went viral, offered a glimpse into what appeared to be a long-standing bond.
The revelation comes seven years after Tej Pratap’s high-profile marriage to Aishwarya Rai on May 12, 2018—a union that ended within five months.
Amid growing backlash on social media, Tej Pratap later claimed that his account had been hacked, alleging it was a conspiracy by opponents to malign his family’s image.
Lalu Prasad Yadav confirmed the authenticity of the released messages and photos, stating that Tej Pratap’s actions were inconsistent with the family’s values. Consequently, Lalu expelled Tej Pratap from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and distanced him from the family, citing his neglect of moral values and irresponsible behaviour.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce that Tej Pratap Yadav had been expelled from both the party and the family for a period of six years. Emphasising the importance of ethics in public and personal life, Lalu stated that straying from moral principles undermines the party’s broader mission of social justice. He also remarked that Tej Pratap’s behaviour was at odds with the values and traditions upheld by the family.
Tej Pratap has a history of causing disturbances within his family. On a previous occasion, he appointed Anushka’s brother as the state president of Chhatra Yuva RJD, against the party’s desires, leading to a significant conflict.
The party’s state president, Jagdanand Singh, was so displeased that he refrained from visiting the party office for an extended period. Eventually, Lalu Yadav had to step in to calm Jagdanand Singh, and Akash was subsequently removed from the position.
Location :Bihar, India, India
First Published:News politics How Tej Pratap's Relationship With Anushka Yadav Affects Brother Tejashwi's Political Fortunes
