Tej Pratap Yadav, expelled from RJD, has refused to return to the party citing self-respect. He is contesting elections in Mahua from his party JJD and is also raising questions on Tejashwi’s CM claim, which has exposed family discord.
Patna: Amidst Bihar Assembly elections 2025, Lalu Prasad Yadav’s elder son Tej Pratap Yadav has given a statement from his political stronghold Mahua, which has given a decisive turn to the ongoing political differences within the Lalu family. Tej Pratap, who fielded as a Janashakti Janata Dal (JJD) candidate, while talking to news agency PTI, directly challenged the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and said, “We will accept death but will not go back to that party (RJD). For me, my self-respect is the biggest thing. No matter how big a post someone gives me, I will not go there now.” This sharp statement is extremely important because just a few months ago, he was expelled from RJD for six years due to family disputes, after which it has become clear that the political tussle between the two brothers is no longer a ‘rift’ but has become a permanent gap.
Taunt on younger brother Tejashwi and bet on CM post
While campaigning in Mahua, Tej Pratap indirectly targeted not only RJD but also the declared Chief Minister face of Grand Alliance, Tejashwi Yadav. He refused to consider RJD candidate Mukesh Roshan as his rival. On the question of the post of Chief Minister, he said, “The Chief Minister is chosen by the public, not the party. This right rests with the people.” He also added that till the time he was in RJD, he had given blessings to Tejashwi to become the CM, but now he can only give blessings as a younger brother.
According to political pundits, this statement makes it clear that Tej Pratap Yak, who once considered himself “Lalu’s successor”, is now trying to prove his political relevance by openly declaring his younger brother’s claim as subject to the public’s decision. During this, he smilingly took back his old “Sudarshan Chakra” statement, which shows a soft turn in his rebellious attitude.
Lalu’s son is now a public servant
After being expelled from RJD, Tej Pratap Yadav has tried to establish himself as a ‘servant of the public’ and a leader doing ‘politics of self-respect’. His entire election campaign now revolves around religion, yoga and spirituality, where posters of Sanatan culture and pictures of Krishna-Radha are seen in his meetings. His party Janashakti Janata Dal (JJD) is the platform of this new political philosophy.
Apart from RJD and the family, he also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and targeted him over his old promise of not opening a sugar mill in Motihari. This time Tej Pratap’s fight is not limited to just one seat, rather it is an emotional and self-respect-filled fight for political survival within the Lalu family, which will be decided by the people of Mahua on November 14.