Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patron Lalu Prasad Yadav on Sunday expelled his elder son Tej Pratap Yadav from the party for six years, citing his “irresponsible conduct” and deviation from the family's values and public decorum.
This came a day after a purported post by Tej Pratap on Facebook, which spoke of his long-standing relationship with Anushka Yadav, saying that they have been in love and in a relationship for the past 12 years.
However, he later claimed that his Facebook account was hacked and the photos edited to defame him and his family.
The posts has come at a time when Tej Pratap's divorce case with Aishwarya Rai remains stuck in court. His marriage to Rai, granddaughter of ex-Bihar CM Daroga Rai, collapsed within months, with Aishwarya accusing her husband and in-laws of throwing her out.
Announcing the move in a social media post, the former Bihar Chief Minister said that ignoring moral values in personal life weakens the party's collective struggle for social justice, adding that the conduct of Tej Pratap was not in line with family values or traditions.
What Lalu Yadav posted?
“Ignoring moral values in personal life weakens our collective struggle for social justice. The activities, public conduct and irresponsible behaviour of the eldest son are not in accordance with our family values and traditions. Therefore, due to the above circumstances, I am removing him from the party and family. From now on, he will not have any kind of role in the party, and the family. He is expelled from the party for 6 years,” Lalu Yadav said in a post written in Hindi.
He is capable of differentiating between the good and bad and the merits and demerits of his personal life. Whoever will have relations with him should take a decision as per their own discretion. I have always been an advocate of public shame in public life. The obedient members of the family have adopted and followed this idea in public life. Thank you,” he added.
Lalu Yadav's younger son and Tej Prata's younger brother, Tejashwi Yadav, shared his thoughts:
“As far as I am concerned, I neither like nor tolerate all this. Personal life should be separate. He is the elder one, and has the right to take his own decisions. But Lalu ji has also made his thoughts clear through a tweet. He did what he thought was right. I came to know about this only through the media,” Tejashwi Yadav said.
The post that created sensation
On Saturday, the purported post garnered a lot of attention on the social media platform. While many people praised Tej ‘Pratap's courage, some netizens were curious to know whether this relationship will now lead to marriage.
In a Hindi clarification shared shortly after the viral post, Tej Pratap wrote: “My social media platforms have been hacked and my photos are being edited inappropriately to harass and defame me and my family. I appeal to my well-wishers and followers to stay alert and not pay attention to any rumours”
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