Patna, May 25, 2025 – In a dramatic and unprecedented political development, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav has expelled his elder son Tej Pratap Yadav from the party and disowned him from the family for what he termed
“irresponsible behaviour and violation of moral values”.
The decision, announced formally by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leadership late Saturday evening, has taken the political circles of Bihar and beyond by storm. The announcement marks one of the most severe actions ever taken by a political patriarch against a family member in recent Indian political history.
According to sources close to the party’s core team, the expulsion will last six years. However, insiders reveal the implications go beyond mere suspension—Lalu Prasad has personally instructed the party cadre to disassociate Tej Pratap Yadav from all RJD platforms and also made it clear that he is “no longer considered part of the Yadav family in political or personal matters.”
Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Statement: “Discipline Comes Before Dynasty”
In a short yet emphatic statement issued from his residence in Patna, Lalu Prasad Yadav said he had no choice but to act in the interest of the party and its future.
“The Rashtriya Janata Dal was not built on an individual’s whims but on the collective sacrifices of many. My son, Tej Pratap Yadav, has not only failed to live up to the party’s values but has repeatedly shown disrespect to its leadership and direction,” Lalu said in a press briefing.
He further emphasized that no one in the party was above discipline and ideology—not even his own son.
This harsh disciplinary action comes just months ahead of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, signaling a strategic attempt to present a clean and disciplined image of the party under Tejashwi Yadav’s leadership.
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Source: India Today
Timeline of Controversies Leading to Expulsion
The expulsion was not a sudden move. Tej Pratap Yadav’s conduct had reportedly been under scrutiny for months, with several senior RJD leaders expressing concern over his erratic public behavior and anti-party statements.
Key Incidents:
- Repeated public criticism of younger brother and Leader of Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav.
- Unruly behavior at party events, including a verbal spat with youth leaders in Samastipur.
- Failure to attend crucial strategy meetings, including RJD’s pre-election manifesto sessions.
- Use of derogatory language on social media platforms, which reportedly embarrassed the party’s leadership.
Sources confirm that Lalu had issued multiple warnings to Tej Pratap Yadav over the past year, but his behavior continued to deteriorate.
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Official Party Communication: Tej Pratap Expelled for “Ignoring Moral Values”
In its official press release, the RJD cited “indiscipline, anti-party activities, and public misconduct” as the key reasons for Tej Pratap Yadav’s expulsion.
“It is deeply regrettable that Tej Pratap Yadav, a senior member of the party and a son of our founder, has ignored the party’s values and moral code. His actions have caused immense harm to the party’s credibility,” read the statement.
The party has instructed all its regional offices to remove Tej Pratap’s name and image from posters, websites, and campaign materials with immediate effect.
Tejashwi Yadav Maintains Silence, Party Cadre Rallies Behind Him
Interestingly, Tejashwi Yadav has not made any personal statement on the matter, choosing instead to allow the party’s official channels to speak. However, top RJD leaders including Manoj Jha and Shyam Rajak have thrown their full support behind Tejashwi, projecting him as the undisputed leader of the party moving forward.
Political analysts suggest this move consolidates Tejashwi Yadav’s leadership, removing internal challenges and presenting a more focused campaign for the upcoming state elections.
Tej Pratap Yadav’s Reaction: “I’ve Been Betrayed”
In response, Tej Pratap Yadav released a video on social media, calling the decision “a betrayal orchestrated by my political enemies within the party.”
“I stood by the people of Bihar when no one else did. I always respected my father and the party. This is not a disciplinary decision—it is political backstabbing,” said Tej Pratap in the video, which has already garnered thousands of views online.
He hinted at the possibility of launching a separate political outfit, or contesting independently from his stronghold in Mahua constituency.
Implications for the Yadav Family: Deepening Rift or Political Realignment?
The removal of Tej Pratap Yadav from the family as well as the party marks a turning point in the dynamics of the Yadav political dynasty in Bihar.
Family sources suggest Rabri Devi is deeply distressed by the development, but has chosen not to intervene for now. There are also reports of backchannel efforts to initiate a family-level reconciliation, though none have been confirmed officially.
Political experts believe the expulsion gives Tejashwi a clear runway to lead the RJD unchallenged, but warn that if Tej Pratap decides to rebel electorally, it could impact the Yadav-Muslim vote bank, a pillar of the RJD’s electoral success.
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Analysts Weigh In: Strategic Move Ahead of Bihar Elections
Veteran political analyst R.K. Jha believes this expulsion is part of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s long-term strategy to restore discipline and strengthen the party’s public image.
“With elections around the corner, Lalu wants to clean house. Tejashwi has proven to be a serious, capable leader. This decision sends a clear message that loyalty and discipline matter more than bloodline,” Jha said.
He added that the gamble could pay off, but warned of a backlash if Tej Pratap mobilizes a splinter group that splits the RJD’s core support.
What Does This Mean for RJD’s 2025 Election Strategy?
The RJD has been preparing aggressively for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. With Tejashwi Yadav at the helm, the party has:
- Strengthened its rural outreach programs
- Built alliances with smaller caste-based parties
- Focused on youth-centric welfare policies
- Prioritized clean image leadership and professionalism
The removal of Tej Pratap Yadav removes a major source of distraction, allowing the party to project a unified front.
Potential Impacts of Tej Pratap’s Expulsion on RJD
| Impact Area | Positive Outcome | Possible Risk |
| Party Unity | Strengthens Tejashwi’s uncontested leadership | Could lead to internal dissent |
| Public Image | Projects RJD as serious, rule-bound party | Could create sympathy wave for Tej |
| Voter Base | Might attract urban and youth voters | Risk of vote split among Yadavs |
| Election Preparedness | Removes distractions, improves discipline | May affect certain constituency morale |
Tej Pratap Yadav’s Political Future: What Next?
The road ahead for Tej Pratap Yadav appears uncertain. While he retains influence in certain pockets of Bihar, especially among youth and a segment of the Yadav community, his erratic political record and lack of strong legislative performance may limit his options.
Analysts say he could:
- Launch an independent party
- Join another regional outfit like LJP or HAM
- Contest as an Independent
- Step back temporarily and wait for reconciliation
Public Reaction: Mixed Sentiment Across Bihar
On the streets of Patna and in rural Bihar, the public reaction has been mixed. Local opinion polls conducted by regional news outlets suggest:
- 52% support Lalu Prasad’s decision, citing the need for party discipline
- 28% feel the decision was too extreme
- 20% remain undecided or indifferent
A New Chapter for Bihar’s Political Landscape
With this dramatic expulsion, Lalu Prasad Yadav has drawn a bold line in Bihar’s political sand—party discipline and ideological commitment come before personal ties. As RJD prepares for the 2025 elections under Tejashwi Yadav, the political future of Tej Pratap remains a wild card.
Whether this is a moment of political reinvention or the beginning of a larger family feud spilling into electoral politics remains to be seen. For now, one thing is clear: the RJD, the Yadav family, and Bihar politics will never be the same again.
