Bihar Assembly Elections 2025: Ex RJD Leader Tej Pratap Yadav To Contest From Mahua Independently

The estranged RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav on Saturday announced he'll contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections from Mahua as an independent candidate. Speaking to reporters in Patna, Tej Pratap didn't hold back. "Uncle (Nitish Kumar) won't be CM this time," he said, throwing a clear jab at the current Bihar Chief Minister.

But that's not all - he added, "Whoever talks about youth, jobs, education, and health, I'll support them with full strength."

Family Fallout, Public Drama

This move comes after a major public fallout with his father and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, who expelled him from the party for six years, accusing him of "irresponsible behaviour." Lalu even cut off personal ties, prompting an emotional response from Tej Pratap, who claimed some "greedy people" were playing politics and turning the family against him.

On Friday, the drama took a digital turn - Tej Pratap unfollowed sisters Misa Bharti, Raj Laxmi, Hema Yadav, and even the RJD's official handle on X (formerly Twitter). Still, he's holding on to ties with Lalu, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav - at least online.

Mahua: Home Turf, New War

Tej Pratap's political roots run deep in Mahua. He first won the seat in 2015 as an RJD candidate and served as a minister in Nitish Kumar's cabinet. But in 2020, RJD handed the ticket to Mukesh Kumar Raushan, who retained the seat.

Now, Tej is ready to reclaim what he calls his "karmabhoomi" - with or without his father's blessings.

As the Bihar elections heat up, Tej Pratap's solo journey adds a layer of drama and unpredictability to the already crowded battlefield. Will his personal brand and emotional appeal win back Mahua? Or is this a gamble too risky, even for a Yadav?