Tej Pratap: Rebel without cause, felled by poll cause | India News

PATNA: In Bihar’s complicated political theatre, few figures are as erratic, unpredictable and, at occasions, bewildering as Tej Pratap Yadav, elder son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad. Once launched as a rising inheritor to his father’s legacy, Tej Pratap has advanced right into a political legal responsibility, a household outcast, and, most curiously, a person whose private whims have routinely overshadowed the social gathering’s agenda.This election yr in Bihar, Tej Pratap has develop into the proverbial thorn in Lalu’s aspect, a distraction the veteran socialist might now not ignore. On Saturday, Tej Pratap once more seized headlines, not for technique or statesmanship, however for posting on social media a few new “relation” with a lady. The announcement was informal, dramatic and ambiguous, a sample now acquainted to those that have adopted his journey over the previous decade.While dynastic politics within the nation usually comes with excessive expectations, Tej Pratap by no means appeared to settle into the function. His early appearances as state well being minister in 2015 – extra notable for clumsy media interactions than coverage achievements – left many questioning whether or not he was suited to public life in any respect. Reports of him consulting astrologers for state issues and allegedly bringing a cow into his ministerial bungalow for “positive energy” turned tabloid fodder and marked the start of a status constructed extra on eccentricity than governance.Tej Pratap’s dramatic private life has additionally been central to his public persona. His 2018 marriage to Aishwarya Rai, granddaughter of former CM Daroga Rai, was speculated to cement a strong political alliance. Instead, it changed into a scandal. Within months, he filed for divorce, alleging home discord, whereas Aishwarya accused him of abuse and erratic behaviour.Family tensions spilled into public view as Lalu and Rabri Devi struggled to comprise the fallout. In one notorious episode, Tej Pratap declared he was occurring a pilgrimage to flee “toxic atmosphere” of dwelling. His tantrums didn’t cease there. He usually skipped key social gathering occasions, launched public tirades towards youthful brother Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, now firmly established as Lalu’s political inheritor, and floated imprecise threats of forming his personal political outfit. Saturday’s put up, simply months earlier than meeting elections, seems to be one other in an extended line of non-public dramas staged in public view. In a uncommon however decisive step, Lalu Prasad lastly acted. Tej Pratap was formally expelled from RJD and disowned by household. The message was clear – political survival trumps paternal indulgence.