June 26, 2025: In a dramatic twist in Bihar’s political landscape, former Health Minister and RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav may be gearing up for a new political innings. Exactly a month after being expelled from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and his family by his father Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tej Pratap has now received open support from Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav, fueling intense speculation about a new political alignment.
On May 25, 2025, Lalu Prasad took the drastic step of suspending his elder son for six years following Tej Pratap’s controversial post on social media revealing a long-term relationship with Anushka Yadav. The post included photographs and personal details that were considered against “family values” by Lalu. The move shocked Bihar’s political circles and raised questions about Tej Pratap’s political future.
Akhilesh Yadav’s Emotional Support Sparks Buzz
A month later, on June 25, 2025, Tej Pratap took to social media to share that Akhilesh Yadav had reached out to him via video call, offering emotional and political support. “Akhilesh Ji has always been close to my heart… it felt like I am not alone in this battle,” Tej Pratap wrote in his post, triggering speculation about a potential alliance.
Notably, Tej Pratap’s sister Rajlakshmi is married into the Yadav family of Uttar Pradesh, making Akhilesh Yadav his brother-in-law by relation. Akhilesh had previously expressed concern when Tej Pratap was ousted from the RJD, alleging that his social media account was hacked and the situation was misrepresented.
Will Tej Pratap Contest on an SP Ticket in Bihar?
Sources close to Tej Pratap suggest he is considering contesting the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections on a Samajwadi Party ticket — possibly from Hasanpur or Mahua, where he enjoys strong local support. With the SP’s limited presence in Bihar, his entry could significantly boost the party’s prospects, particularly among Yadav and OBC communities.
Tej Pratap has previously floated organizations like Yaduvanshi Sena and Tej Sena, showcasing his ambition to independently mobilize support from the backward caste groups.
Independent Candidate or New Party?
Tej Pratap also has the option of running as an independent candidate or launching a new political outfit. He has experience forming small ideological platforms like the Lalu-Rabri Morcha and Dharm Samarthak Sevak Sangh, but experts point out that lacking a robust organizational base in Bihar could make this route extremely challenging.
A Threat to RJD’s Core Vote Base?
The real question for RJD now is whether Tej Pratap’s shift could fracture the party’s core MY (Muslim-Yadav) vote base. Historically, the RJD has enjoyed almost unanimous Yadav support, but a credible alternative like Tej Pratap under the SP’s banner could dent its dominance — especially in Yadav-heavy constituencies.
Many political observers see Lalu’s decision to expel Tej Pratap as a move to strengthen Tejashwi Yadav’s leadership and unify the party ahead of the 2025 Assembly polls. However, Tej Pratap’s growing public sympathy and newfound political support may disrupt that narrative.
Conclusion
As Bihar’s political dynamics evolve rapidly, Tej Pratap Yadav’s next move remains under close watch. Whether he aligns with Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party, contests independently, or launches a new political entity, one thing is clear: his influence, especially among the Yadav community, cannot be overlooked.