Tej Pratap Yadav to float party? MLA holds rally with new flag after expulsion

Days after his expulsion from the RJD, former Bihar minister and MLA Tej Pratap Yadav organized a rally in Mahua under a different banner, suggesting he may run independently in the upcoming Assembly elections.

During his initial rally after separating from the RJD, Tej Pratap and his backers displayed a green-and-white banner featuring the words “Team Tej Pratap Yadav.” The quirky Bihar leader sported his iconic green cap while heading a roadshow in Mahua, his previous constituency, receiving a heartfelt reception from eager supporters. During the rally, the Hasanpur MLA proclaimed that he wouldn’t be under anyone’s authority and would determine his next step according to the people’s choice.

“I live under the will of the public. Whatever the public wants, I will do. I will contest the election from wherever the public demands. From which party I will contest from, that will be seen later,” Tej Pratap said.

Tej Pratap, who made his political debut in the 2015 Assembly polls, was expelled from the RJD by his father Lalu Prasad Yadav for six years in May.

The development came a day after Tej Pratap posted some pictures with a woman named Anushka Yadav, and confessed to being “in a relationship”. Later, Tej Pratap deleted the post, claiming that his Facebook page was “hacked”.

However, the damage had already been done. Lalu Prasad also snapped all family ties with his elder son due to his “irresponsible behaviour”. In 2018, Tej Pratap wed Aishwarya Rai, the granddaughter of the former Chief Minister of Bihar, Daroga Prasad Rai. Nevertheless, after five months, he submitted a divorce petition.

Following his removal from the RJD, Tej Pratap claimed that there was a “plot” aimed at creating a rift between him and his younger sibling Tejashwi Yadav, who is being showcased as the representative of the Mahagathbandhan in the forthcoming elections.