Aishwarya Roy, estranged wife of Tej Pratap Yadav, has dismissed his recent expulsion from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and disowning by his father Lalu Prasad Yadav as nothing more than a pre-election drama, accusing the Yadav family of enacting a scripted move to mislead the public ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections later this year.
On Sunday, Lalu Yadav expelled his eldest son Tej Pratap Yadav from the RJD for six years, citing his “irresponsible conduct” and deviation from family values. Lalu's public statement on social media stated:
“The activities, public conduct, and irresponsible behaviour of my eldest son are not in accordance with our family values and traditions. Therefore, I am removing him from the party and family.”
This followed a controversial post from Tej Pratap’s Facebook account that claimed he had been in a 12-year relationship with a woman named Anushka Yadav. Tej Pratap later claimed his account was hacked, calling the post and images a smear campaign.
Aishwarya Roy's Response:
Calling the move an “eyewash,” Roy said:
“They are in cahoots. This is a poll season drama enacted by the family. I’m sure he will be taken back to the party once the Assembly elections are over.”
She questioned the sudden morality being invoked by the Yadav family, citing her own past ordeal with Tej Pratap and his family, and added:
“Why did his conscience not awaken when they ruined my life? Where was social justice then, when they beat me up?”
Roy’s divorce case with Tej Pratap is still pending in court. Their marriage — once seen as a high-profile political alliance (Roy is the granddaughter of former Bihar CM Daroga Prasad Roy) — collapsed within months, with Aishwarya alleging mistreatment by her husband and in-laws. Her father, Chandrika Roy, a former minister, had quit the RJD in protest and vowed to take on the Yadav family legally and politically.
In 2022, Aishwarya also accused Misa Bharti, Tej Pratap’s sister, of playing a divisive role in her marriage and in Tej Pratap’s strained relationship with his brother Tejashwi Yadav.
JDU Echoes Aishwarya's View:
Janata Dal (United), Lalu Yadav’s political rival and the party of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, also dismissed the action against Tej Pratap as election-time posturing. JDU spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan said:
“This is pure immorality. After the elections, Tej Pratap will be taken back. Lalu ji is misleading the public.”
The fallout reflects growing political and personal turbulence within Bihar’s most influential political dynasty, with questions now swirling over the authenticity of the disciplinary action, Tej Pratap's political future, and the deeper family fractures long speculated upon.
As the election season heats up in Bihar, the Yadav family's internal conflicts — and public statements like Aishwarya Roy's — are certain to have political ripples.
