Hours after Lalu Prasad Yadav expelled his elder son Tej Pratap Yadav from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and severed ties with him on a personal level, his daughter Rohini Acharya stepped forward to defend her father, publicly expressing unwavering loyalty and reverence for the party patriarch.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Rohini Acharya expressed her unshaken faith in her father, likening him to a divine figure and their family to a sacred institution. “For us, Papa is like God, the family is our temple, and the pride of the party he built with relentless hard work is our worship,” she wrote.
In a strongly worded post, Rohini criticized those who defy family norms and dignity, without naming Tej Pratap directly. “Those who uphold the dignity of tradition, family values, and upbringing are never questioned. But those who forsake wisdom and repeatedly cross the boundaries of decent conduct bring criticism upon themselves,” she stated.
The political and personal storm broke after Lalu Prasad Yadav issued a public statement announcing Tej Pratap Yadav’s six-year expulsion from the party. The 37-year-old MLA from Bihar and former cabinet minister was accused of irresponsible conduct and straying from the moral and ethical values that the RJD upholds.
This disciplinary action followed a controversy triggered by Tej Pratap’s now-deleted social media post where he shared images of a woman and claimed a long-standing relationship with her. He later alleged that his account had been hacked and the photos manipulated. Nevertheless, the episode was seen as a breach of family and party decorum.
In his statement, Lalu wrote, “His actions and irresponsible behaviour do not align with our family’s values and traditions. Ignoring moral principles weakens our fight for social justice.” He further added, “From now on, Tej Pratap will have no role in the party or the family.”
Tej Pratap’s younger brother and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has also backed the decision, stating that the party cannot tolerate actions that hurt its reputation.
Tej Pratap, who married Aishwarya Rai in 2018, is currently engaged in a divorce battle. This latest development marks a significant turning point in Bihar’s political landscape, showcasing deep fissures within one of the state’s most influential political families.