Tej Pratap Yadav: From Political Dynasty to Independent Candidate in Bihar Elections

In September 2025, Tej Pratap Yadav established a new political party named Janshakti Janata Dal.

Tej Pratap Yadav, offspring of former Bihar chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, ventured independently in the state elections. The 37-year-old's political entity, Janshakti Janta Dal, participated in the polls where the RJD-led INDIA alliance engaged in fierce competition with the governing NDA.

The Bihar Assembly elections were conducted in two phases, on November 6 and 11. Results will be announced on November 14.

Born on April 16, 1988, in Gopalganj, Tej Pratap Yadav completed his secondary education in 2010. His political journey commenced in 2015 when he represented the Mahua constituency. By 2020, he secured election from Hasanpur constituency. The two-term MLA served as Health Minister from November 2015 until July 2017 while simultaneously holding the Environment portfolio.

In May 2018, Tej Pratap wed Aishwarya Rai, granddaughter of former Bihar Chief Minister Daroga Prasad Rai. Their marriage endured less than six months and became a matter of public interest. Aishwarya reportedly resided at Tej Pratap's mother Rabri Devi's residence in an apparent effort to preserve the marriage before departing and alleging she had been forced to leave.

Her father, Chandrika Rai, promised political retaliation, abandoning the RJD to join Nitish Kumar's JD(U), though he failed to maintain his Parsa Assembly seat in 2020. Tej Pratap claimed that he, his parents, and siblings had experienced physical and verbal abuse and stated he had remained silent since filing for divorce.

In May 2025, Tej Pratap disclosed via Facebook his 12-year romantic relationship with a woman named Anushka Yadav. Later, he asserted his account had been compromised; the post was removed. Following this social media revelation, his father and RJD president Lalu Yadav expelled him from the party for six years and disowned him for "irresponsible behaviour."

In July this year, Tej Pratap Yadav announced his intention to contest the Bihar elections from the Mahua seat in Vaishali district. He also revealed an alliance with five Bihar-based minor political parties to compete as an independent candidate.

In September 2025, he launched Janshakti Janata Dal as his new political organization. The party utilizes a blackboard as its symbol.

Tej Pratap also pursued pilot training and successfully completed the first stage of the Commercial Pilot License (CPL) course in June this year, ranking fifth among 18 candidates.

He maintains an active social media presence and operates a YouTube channel called "LR Vlog," which has garnered over 200,000 subscribers.