Tej Pratap’s Love Post Sparks Political Meltdown: RJD Expels Lalu’s Son Amid Scandal and Social Media Storm
Patna/New Delhi – Bihar’s political landscape, already known for its dramatic turns, has been shaken yet again — this time by a Facebook post, a mysterious woman named Anushka Yadav, and the very public fallout of RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav. The eldest son of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav has been expelled from both the party and the family, plunging the RJD into a full-blown crisis just months before the crucial Bihar Assembly elections.
What began as a seemingly sentimental Facebook post — now deleted — has morphed into a political firestorm, with implications far beyond personal embarrassment.
A Love Story or a Political Earthquake?
Late on May 25, Tej Pratap posted a photo of himself with a woman identified as Anushka Yadav, accompanied by a caption claiming they had been in a romantic relationship for over 12 years. “We are in love and have been in a relationship for the last 12 years,” the post read, sparking instant outrage, curiosity, and speculation across social media and political circles.
Within hours, hashtags like #TejPratapLoveSaga and #YadavFamilyFeud were trending across platforms.
While the post seemed like a personal declaration, it was anything but private in the world of dynastic Indian politics. RJD insiders confirmed the image was authentic, but Tej Pratap later claimed his account had been “hacked,” blaming “anti-social elements” for “defaming my family.”
Who is Anushka Yadav?
Though much about her remains unknown, sources suggest Anushka hails from Langartoli, Patna — the same neighbourhood as the influential Yadav family. She is reportedly the daughter of Manoj Yadav, a relatively low-profile figure, but her brother, Akash Yadav, has a controversial political history.
Tej Pratap had previously appointed Akash to lead the RJD’s student wing, a move that was quickly reversed by RJD state chief Jagdanand Singh. Akash later defected to the LJP (Ram Vilas faction) led by Pashupati Kumar Paras, a long-time political rival of the Yadavs. Some RJD observers now believe that past personal and political conflicts may have played a role in the current controversy.
Lalu’s Harsh Verdict: “No Role in Party or Family”
In a swift and rare move, Lalu Prasad Yadav — seen by many as the ultimate family patriarch — publicly expelled Tej Pratap from the RJD for six years, citing “irresponsible behaviour” and “disregard for moral values.”
“From today, Tej Pratap will have no role in the party or the family. Such conduct weakens our collective fight for social justice,” Lalu said in a strongly worded statement.
The decision was reportedly made after a late-night emergency meeting of the RJD core committee, which concluded that Tej Pratap’s post had brought “irreparable damage” to the party’s image, especially at a time when the RJD is preparing its 2025 election campaign narrative around discipline, governance, and youth leadership.
Political Calculations or Moral Purge?
Lalu’s move is being seen as more strategic than emotional.
With Assembly elections due later this year, RJD insiders suggest that the expulsion was less about Tej Pratap’s relationship and more about controlling internal factionalism. There have long been reports of rifts between Tej Pratap and his younger brother, Tejashwi Yadav, who is being groomed as Lalu’s true political heir.
“Tejashwi has been working to rebrand the RJD with a progressive image. Tej Pratap’s erratic behaviour was a liability,” said a senior RJD leader on condition of anonymity.
Even within the extended Yadav clan, loyalties have shifted, with most senior party functionaries aligning with Tejashwi’s camp over the years.
Past Shadows: The Aishwarya Rai Saga Resurfaces
This is not Tej Pratap Yadav’s first public controversy.
In 2018, he married Aishwarya Rai, granddaughter of former Bihar CM Daroga Prasad Rai, in a high-profile political wedding. However, the marriage ended in acrimony, with allegations of domestic violence, drug abuse, and cross-dressing surfacing during their divorce proceedings.
Aishwarya’s father, Chandrika Roy, resigned from the RJD in protest and aligned with rival parties, further complicating the family’s political fortunes. The bitter court battle dragged on for years, with both sides trading damaging allegations.
Now, with the Anushka Yadav episode, Tej Pratap’s personal life once again threatens to overshadow his political future.
Fallout and Future
With his RJD membership revoked and familial bridges burned, Tej Pratap Yadav is politically homeless. While he insists his social media was hacked, few in Bihar’s political circles seem convinced. Some speculate he may float his own outfit or align with fringe parties, as he had once attempted with his now-defunct outfit, "Chhatra Janshakti Parishad."
But the road ahead looks bleak.
“The damage is done. No one takes him seriously anymore. Tejashwi is now clearly the undisputed heir to Lalu’s political legacy,” said veteran political analyst Dinesh Mishra.
For the RJD, this moment could either signal a period of consolidation or a deeper crisis if the controversy further alienates its core voter base of Yadavs and Muslims, who often view the family as the moral and political centre of their support.
Love, Loss, and Legacy
In Bihar, where personal reputations often translate directly into political currency, Tej Pratap’s love post may have been his final political act within the RJD. Whether this was an impulsive mistake, an internal sabotage, or a genuine romantic declaration, it has cost him not only his position in the party but also his place in one of India’s most influential political families.
As the RJD regroups under Tejashwi’s leadership, one thing is clear — Bihar’s political script is being rewritten, one social media post at a time.