‘Why was I beaten, my life ruined?’ RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav’s ex-wife, Aishwarya Rai breaks silence

PATNA: In a dramatic political and personal fallout, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has expelled his elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, from the party for six years and has also removed him from the family.

RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav’s ex-wife, Aishwarya Rai, broke her silence on Monday, questioning the timing of his expulsion and accusing the family of ruining her life.

Speaking to reporters in Patna, Rai said, “Why was my life ruined? Why was I beaten? Now they have suddenly had a social awakening. They are all together. They have not separated. The elections are near, so they have taken such a step and created this drama.”

Tej Pratap had married Aishwarya Rai, the granddaughter of former Bihar Chief Minister Daroga Rai. However, the marriage was short-lived. After a few months, Aishwarya left the Yadav household, alleging that she had been driven out by her husband and his family members.

Her remarks come shortly after RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav expelled his elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, from the party for six years and reportedly cut off family ties, sparking speculation about internal family disputes and political motives.

Referring to her past trauma, Aishwarya Rai added, “Everyone knows what happened. If they (Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family) knew everything, then why did they get him married to me? Why was my life ruined? Why was I beaten? Where was their social justice when I was suffering?”

She also expressed shock at how she learned of her divorce, stating that she received information only through the media.

“I got information about my divorce from the media. I did not know what was going on,” she said.

#WATCH | Patna, Bihar: “… Why was my life ruined? Why was I beaten? Now they have suddenly had a social awakening. They are all together. They have not separated… The elections are near, that is why they have taken such a step and created this drama…,” says RJD leader Tej… pic.twitter.com/DC2BXUdJO2

— ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2025

In a direct accusation, she alleged, ” Now that it is out, he has had an affair for 12 years and blaming the woman is the easiest way out. When will I get justice? I will continue my fight.”

Meanwhile, reacting briefly to the development, Tej Pratap’s sister and RJD MP Misa Bharti said, “The national president of our party, Lalu Prasad Yadav, has made his stand clear. My father, the head of our family, has made his stand clear. I do not have anything else to speak on it.”

In a statement on X, Lalu Yadav said, “The activities, public behaviour, and irresponsible conduct of my eldest son are not in line with our family’s values and cultural ethos. 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 per our family values and traditions.”

He further announced, “Therefore, due to the above circumstances, I remove him from the party and family. From now on, he will not have any role of any kind in the party and family. He is expelled from the party for six years. He is capable of seeing the good and bad and merits and demerits of his personal life.”

Lalu Yadav also said that anyone who wishes to maintain contact with Tej Pratap is free to make their own decisions. “All those who will have relations with him should take their own decisions. 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 said.

Reacting to the situation, Tej Pratap’s younger brother and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said that while the developments are unfortunate, the matter is personal. “We cannot tolerate such things, we are working and are dedicated to the people of Bihar. If it’s about my big brother, political life and personal life are different. He has the right to make his personal decisions. He is an adult and free to make decisions. Our party’s chief has made it clear, and ever since he has said so, it is his feelings. We didn’t question such things… What he is doing in his personal life, nobody asks before doing anything. I have come to know about it via the media only.” (ANI)