Lalu expels Tej from party and ‘family'
Patna: In one of the most difficult decisions of his 51-year-long political career,
RJD
president Lalu Prasad on Sunday expelled his elder son,
Tej Pratap Yadav
, from the party for six years and declared that he would "have nothing to do with the family".
Lalu's stern move came a day after Tej announced on social media that he had been "in a relationship for 12 years" with a woman despite being married and his divorce petition still pending before a family court in Patna. However, a few hours later, Tej deleted the post and claimed on X that his Facebook page had been "hacked" and his photographs were "wrongfully edited".
Lalu made his announcement on the same social media platform but did not refer directly to Tej's earlier post.
As RJD's president for the past 27 years, he issued a sharp rebuke of his elder son's behaviour, calling it contrary to the values the party and family stand for.
In a post on X, Lalu wrote, "Disregarding moral values in personal life weakens our collective struggle for social justice. The actions, public conduct and irresponsible behaviour of my elder son do not align with our family values and traditions. Therefore, under these circumstances, I am distancing him from the party and family.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Free P2,000 GCash eGift
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
From now on, he will have no role in the party or family. He is being expelled from the party for six years.
"
Lalu added, "He (Tej) is capable of making an assessment of the good and bad, the virtues and faults, of his own personal life. Those who choose to associate with him should make their decisions based on their own judgment. I have always been an advocate for public decency in society. The obedient members of the family have adopted and followed this principle in public life.
Thank you."
Lalu's decision comes just months before the
Bihar assembly elections
, which the RJD is set to contest under the leadership of his younger son, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. Born to Lalu and former CM Rabri Devi, the brothers are among four of nine siblings actively involved in politics.
The eldest of the siblings, Misa Bharti, is the RJD MP from Pataliputra. Another daughter, Rohini Acharya, made her electoral debut in last year's Lok Sabha elections from Saran but was unsuccessful.
Rohini strongly backed her father's decision. In a post on X, she wrote, "Those who take care of the dignity of the environment, tradition, family and upbringing are never questioned. Those who abandon their wisdom and repeatedly commit the mistake of crossing the limits of decent conduct and family prestige make themselves the subject of criticism."
The remaining five siblings – Tej and Tejashwi's sisters – have so far remained outside the political arena, though one of them, Hema Yadav, has been named in the land-for-jobs scam dating back to Lalu's tenure as railway minister in the UPA-I govt.
Tej Pratap entered politics during the 2015 assembly elections and is currently serving his second term as MLA. He had brief stints as a minister in the state cabinet. Initially elected from Mahua, he was later shifted to Hasanpur due to perceptions of waning popularity in his original constituency.
Unlike his younger brother Tejashwi, now regarded as one of Bihar's most popular political figures, Tej has frequently made headlines for the wrong reasons.
Just five months after marrying Aishwarya Rai, the granddaughter of former Bihar CM Daroga Prasad Rai, Tej filed for divorce in a Patna family court. The couple had tied the knot on May 12, 2018 in a high-profile ceremony in the state capital.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Germany reaffirms strong support in fight against terrorism, says its foreign minister
Germany reaffirmed its strong support and solidarity in the fight against terrorism, Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told an Indian Parliamentary delegation that outlined New Delhi's resolve to not give in to nuclear blackmail by Pakistan. As the delegation visited the European country, it conveyed to German political and diplomatic leadership India's unwavering united stand for zero-tolerance for terrorism, especially in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. The delegation, led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, on Friday evening called on Minister Wadephul. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your IQ Is 140 If You Can Answer 10 Of These Questions Correctly IQ International "Building on his recent meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Wadephul condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and reaffirmed Germany's strong support and solidarity with India, in the fight against terrorism," said a post on X by the Indian Embassy here. Both sides "discussed ways to further strengthen & deepen multi-faceted India-Germany Strategic Partnership and reiterated their commitment to a rule-based international order, based on shared democratic values," it added. Live Events "We underscored the significant threat terrorism poses to democracy, humanity, and human rights, and expressed grave concern over Pakistan-sponsored terrorism," Prasad said on X after the meeting. "Emphasizing the need for collective action, we stressed that democratic nations must unite to counter this menace." The discussions also focused on enhancing and deepening the multifaceted India-Germany Strategic Partnership, built on a shared commitment to upholding a rules-based international order rooted in democratic values, he added. The delegation had earlier interacted with key members of German Bundestag (MdBs) in charge of foreign and security policy, such as Jurgen Hardt, Foreign Policy Spokesperson of CDU, and Tilman Kuban, as well as leading think-tanks in Germany. "They emphasised India's message of zero-tolerance against terrorism. The delegation conveyed that India's response to Pahalgam terrorist attack had been precise, measured and non-escalatory. They also explained India's clear position that there is no differentiation between terrorists and those who aid or shelter them," the Indian Embassy said. Earlier in the day, the delegation met the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Parliament 'Bundestag', Armin Laschet, and lawmakers Ralph Brinkhaus and Hubertus Heil here. "Grateful for today's exchange with the Indian All-Party Parliamentary Delegation. Germany and India share a trusted partnership, especially on global security. We also discussed the brutal 22 April terrorist attack in Pahalgam. I'm deeply shocked. Germany stands with India in the fight against terrorism," Laschet said. "Now it's vital the ceasefire holds and dialogue continues. Peace serves us all," he said in a post on X. The delegation leaders "noted momentum in India-German Strategic Partnership and joint role in ensuring global Peace and Security," the Embassy of India said in a post on X. The Indian team also held a productive interaction with Omid Nouripour, Vice President of the German Parliament, and deeply appreciated Berlin's strong and unequivocal support for India's principled stand against terrorism. "They conveyed India's firm response to Pahalgam terror attack and briefed about #OperationSindoor, reiterating the country's zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," the India mission said. The delegation arrived here on Thursday from Belgium to convey India's stance. India's Ambassador to Germany Ajit Gupte welcomed the delegation and briefed its members on India-Germany ties, with a focus on expanding strategic partnership and growing cooperation in trade and investment, defence, S&T and mobility. A statement from the Indian Embassy here said that the delegation interacted with senior members of German Parliament (Bundestag) active in the fields of foreign policy and international affairs and a leading think-tank in Germany, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) on day one. Ending the day's engagements, the delegation also had an interaction with representatives from leading German think-tanks and eminent personalities at a reception hosted by Ambassador Gupte, the statement said. The delegation includes MPs Daggubati Purandeswari, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Ghulam Ali Khatana, Amar Singh, Samik Bhattacharya, M Thambidurai and former minister of state M J Akbar and former diplomat Pankaj Saran. The delegation is one of the seven multi-party delegations India has tasked to visit 33 global capitals to reach out to the international community to emphasise Pakistan's links to terrorism. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack, with India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. The on-ground hostilities from Indian and Pakistan sides that lasted for four days ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump's Attorney General Pam Bondi now in the line of fire - here's what happened and why it matters
It has been a tumultuous week for American politics, memory, and conscience. Another battle rages within the justice system. Pam Bondi , President Trump's Attorney General, has come under fire for what critics call serious ethical misconduct. The incident highlights broader tensions in Washington regarding justice, power, and political accountability. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Air conditioners without external unit. (click to see prices) Air Condition | Search Ads Search Now What exactly is Pam Bondi being accused of? In a 70-person ethics complaint submitted to the Florida Bar , US Attorney General Pam Bondi is charged with " serious professional misconduct ." Law professors, lawyers, and former chief justices of the Florida Supreme Court who lean liberal or moderate are among the signatories. They charged Bondi with misbehavior that "threatens the rule of law and the administration of justice,' as per a report by the Miami Herald. Live Events According to the Herald, the group's complaint claims that Bondi has violated her ethical obligations in her current position. Critics claim she is pressuring DOJ lawyers to act unethically. The complaint also claims that Bondi "sought to compel Department of Justice lawyers to violate their ethical obligations under the guise of 'zealous advocacy,'" as reported by the Herald. Why was the complaint dismissed so quickly? The petition was swiftly dismissed by the Florida Bar on jurisdictional grounds, but in Washington, one of the young punks who now work for the federal government, particularly at the Department of Justice (DOJ), sneered at it. In a statement given to the Miami Herald, Chad Mizelle, chief of staff for the Justice Department, stated that the Florida Bar has twice turned down performative attempts by these out-of-state attorneys to use the bar complaint procedure against AG Bondi. The signatories' lack of intelligence and independent thought will be the only outcome of this third futile attempt. ALSO READ: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez just entered the Trump–Musk fight, and the Internet can't get enough Pam Bondi, a native of Florida, was the first female attorney general of the Sunshine State. According to the Florida Bar, "Pamela Jo Bondi" is a member "in Good Standing,' as per a report by The Hill. During her confirmation hearing a few months ago, Bondi was questioned by Democrats about her capacity to oppose Trump, who had repeatedly declared that he would come for his enemies and that he had the "absolute right" to do as he pleased with her department. FAQs Why is Pam Bondi facing criticism right now? She is accused by dozens of legal experts of pressuring DOJ lawyers to violate ethical standards, particularly in a contentious Feb. 5 memo encouraging aggressive tactics. Has the Florida Bar taken action against Bondi? No, it dismissed the complaint due to a lack of jurisdiction, though the criticism sparked a national debate.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
What it would take to convert a jet from Qatar into Air Force One to safely fly Trump
President Donald Trump really wants to fly on an upgraded Air Force One - but making that happen could depend on whether he's willing to cut corners with security. As government lawyers sort out the legal arrangement for accepting a luxury jet from the Qatari royal family, another crucial conversation is unfolding about modifying the plane so it's safe for the American president. Installing capabilities equivalent to the decades-old 747s now used as Air Force One would almost certainly consign the project to a similar fate as Boeing's replacement initiative, which has been plagued by delays and cost overruns. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 새로 나온 '실비보험' 최적가 가입추천! "주요 보험사별 맞춤견적+가성비 굿"... 굿리치 보험대리점 (등록번호:제2006038313호) 가입하기 Undo Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers Thursday that those security modifications would cost less than $400 million but provided no details. Satisfying Trump's desire to use the new plane before the end of his term could require leaving out some of those precautions, however. Live Events A White House official said Trump wants the Qatari jet ready as soon as possible while adhering to security standards. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, did not provide details on equipment issues or the timeline. Trump has survived two assassination attempts, and Iran allegedly also plotted to kill him, so he's well aware of the danger he faces. However, he seems willing to take some chances with security, particularly when it comes to communications. For example, he likes to keep his personal phone handy despite the threat of hacks. He boasted this week that the government got the jet "for free," saying, "We need it as Air Force One until the other ones are done." Here's a look at what it would take to make the Qatari plane into a presidential transport: What makes a plane worthy of being Air Force One? Air Force One is the call sign for any plane that's carrying the president. The first aircraft to get the designation was a propeller-powered C-54 Skymaster, which ferried Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference in 1945. It featured a conference room with a bulletproof window. Things are a lot more complicated these days. Boeing has spent years stripping down and rebuilding two 747s to replace the versions that have carried presidents for more than three decades. The project is slated to cost more than $5.3 billion and may not be finished before Trump leaves office. A 2021 report made public through the Freedom of Information Act outlines the unclassified requirements for the replacement 747s under construction. At the top of the list - survivability and communications. The government decided more than a decade ago that the new planes had to have four engines so they could remain airborne if one or two fail, said Deborah Lee James, who was Air Force secretary at the time. That creates a challenge because 747s are no longer manufactured, which could make spare parts harder to come by. Air Force One also has to have the highest level of classified communications, anti-jamming capabilities and external protections against foreign surveillance, so the president can securely command military forces and nuclear weapons during a national emergency. It's an extremely sensitive and complex system, including video, voice and data transmissions. James said there are anti-missile measures and shielding against radiation or an electromagnetic pulse that could be caused by a nuclear blast. "The point is, it remains in flight no matter what," she said. Will Trump want all the security bells and whistles? If the Qatari plane is retrofitted to presidential standards, it could cost $1.5 billion and take years, according to a U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details that aren't publicly available. Testifying before Congress this week, Meink discounted such estimates, arguing that some of the costs associated with retrofitting the Qatari plane would have been spent anyway as the Air Force moves to build the long-delayed new presidential planes, including buying aircraft for training and to have spares available if needed. In response, Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., said that based on the contract costs for the planes that the Air Force is building, it would cost about $1 billion to strip down the Qatar plane, install encrypted communications, harden its defenses and make other required upgrades. James said simply redoing the wiring means "you'd have to break that whole thing wide open and almost start from scratch." Trump, as commander in chief, could waive some of these requirements. He could decide to skip shielding systems from an electromagnetic pulse, leaving his communications more vulnerable in case of a disaster but shaving time off the project. After all, Boeing has already scaled back its original plans for the new 747s. Their range was trimmed by 1,200 nautical miles, and the ability to refuel while airborne was scrapped. Paul Eckloff, a former leader of protection details at the Secret Service , expects the president would get the final say. "The Secret Service's job is to plan for and mitigate risk," he said. "It can never eliminate it." If Trump does waive some requirements, James said that should be kept under wraps because "you don't want to advertise to your potential adversaries what the vulnerabilities of this new aircraft might be." It's unlikely that Trump will want to skimp on the plane's appearance. He keeps a model of a new Air Force One in the Oval Office, complete with a darker color scheme that echoes his personal jet instead of the light blue design that's been used for decades. What happens next? Trump toured the Qatari plane in February when it was parked at an airport near Mar-a-Lago, his Florida resort. Air Force chief of staff Gen. David Allvin was there, too. The U.S. official said the jet needs maintenance but not more than what would be expected of a four-engine plane of its complexity. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee , said it would be irresponsible to put the president and national security equipment aboard the Qatari plane "without knowing that the aircraft is fully capable of withstanding a nuclear attack." "It's a waste of taxpayer dollars," she said. Meanwhile, Boeing's project has been hampered by stress corrosion cracks on the planes and excessive noise in the cabins from the decompression system, among other issues that have delayed delivery, according to a Government Accountability Office report released last year. Boeing referred questions to the Air Force, which said in a statement that it's working with the aircraft manufacturer to find ways to accelerate the delivery of at least one of the 747s. Even so, the aircraft will have to be tested and flown in real-world conditions to ensure no other issues. James said it remains to be seen how Trump would handle any of those challenges. "The normal course of business would say there could be delays in certifications," she said. "But things seem to get waived these days when the president wants it."
