Feud in Lalu Yadav's family looks set to continue: Ravi Shankar Prasad

Mumbai, Jun 25 (PTI) Former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday said the infighting among members of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) founder Lalu Prasad Yadav's family looks set to continue, and expressed confidence about the ruling NDA's victory in the Bihar assembly polls due later this year.

The BJP leader was speaking to reporters here on the 50th anniversary of the imposition of the Emergency by former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

When asked about the infighting within the RJD chief's family, Prasad said, "I was the one who filed the PIL in the fodder scam case, which led to Lalu Prasad Yadav's imprisonment. The Bihar assembly elections will take place in November, and we are confident of victory. The seat-sharing arrangement will be announced once it is finalised. As for the ongoing family feud within Lalu Prasad Yadav's household, it looks set to continue for some time." Lalu Prasad Yadav had last month expelled his elder son Tej Pratap Yadav from the party for his public conduct and "irresponsible behaviour", saying "disregard for moral values in personal life weakens our collective struggle to achieve social justice". He also declared that he "shall have nothing to do with the family".

Tej Pratap's expulsion came after he announced on social media that he was "in a relationship for 12 years" with a woman, despite being married and his divorce petition still pending before a family court. He, however, deleted the post a few hours later, claiming on X that his Facebook page was "hacked".

Days later, Tej Pratap blamed "greedy people playing politics with him" for his predicament within the party and the family.

In a post on X, he said, "Daddy, if it weren’t for you, neither this party would exist, nor would those greedy people like ‘Jaichand’ who play politics with me. Mom and dad, may you both always stay healthy and happy (sic)." Later, without mentioning his brother and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav's name, he said, "My brother, I would ask you to have faith that I am with you in all circumstances. My blessings were with you and will be so always. Please take care of mummy and papa, Jaichand is outside as well as within." PTI ND NP