{"id":20771,"date":"2025-10-25T10:33:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-25T10:33:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/25\/will-choose-death-over-returning-to-rjd-tej-pratap-yadav-ahead-of-bihar-polls-elections-news\/"},"modified":"2025-10-25T10:33:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-25T10:33:11","slug":"will-choose-death-over-returning-to-rjd-tej-pratap-yadav-ahead-of-bihar-polls-elections-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/25\/will-choose-death-over-returning-to-rjd-tej-pratap-yadav-ahead-of-bihar-polls-elections-news\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Will Choose Death Over Returning To RJD\u2019: Tej Pratap Yadav Ahead Of Bihar Polls | Elections News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"story-9658296\">\n<p><span class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-4143937483\">Last Updated:<\/span><time class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-4143937483\">October 25, 2025, 15:55 IST<\/time><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"asubttl-9658296\" class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-3798513969 asubttl-schema\">Tej Pratap Yadav, who had always been overshadowed in public life by his younger brother, seemed unimpressed with Tejashwi being named the INDIA bloc&#8217;s chief ministerial candidate.<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-3798513969 amimg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The estranged RJD leader, who now leads the newly formed Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD), said he was guided by \u201cprinciples and self-respect,\u201d not political power. (PTI)\" title=\"The estranged RJD leader, who now leads the newly formed Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD), said he was guided by \u201cprinciples and self-respect,\u201d not political power. (PTI)\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2021\/07\/1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg?impolicy=website&amp;width=400&amp;height=225\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-3798513969\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The estranged RJD leader, who now leads the newly formed Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD), said he was guided by \u201cprinciples and self-respect,\u201d not political power. (PTI)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"0\" class=\"story_para_0\">Former Bihar minister and RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav\u2019s eldest son, Tej Pratap Yadav, ruled out any possibility of returning to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), asserting that he would \u201cchoose death over going back&#8221; to the party, from which he was expelled a few months ago.<\/p>\n<p id=\"1\" class=\"story_para_1\">The estranged RJD leader, who now leads the newly formed Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD), said he was guided by \u201cprinciples and self-respect,&#8221; not political power.<\/p>\n<p id=\"2\" class=\"story_para_2\">\u201cI would choose death over returning to that party. I am not hungry for power. Principles and self-respect are supreme for me,&#8221; he told news agency PTI when asked if he considers going back to his father\u2019s party.<\/p>\n<div class=\"twtiframe\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">VIDEO | Bihar Polls 2025: When asked if he will join the INDIA alliance, Janshakti Janata Dal chief and candidate from Mahua Assembly constituency, Tej Pratap Yadav, said, \u201cNo, I would rather die than go back to that party. We have our own party, Janshakti Janata Dal, and we\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ikbOp03fni\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/ikbOp03fni<\/a>\u2014 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PTI_News\/status\/1981708410002309622?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">October 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"3\" class=\"story_para_3\">Tej Pratap, the elder son of Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi, both former chief ministers, is contesting from Mahua, the constituency from where he made his electoral debut in 2015.<\/p>\n<p id=\"4\" class=\"story_para_4\">Yadav, who seeks to wrest back Mahua, said that people were happy with his work as MLA.<\/p>\n<p id=\"5\" class=\"story_para_5\">\u201cI have been attached to this constituency since much before I entered politics. People tell me they were happy to have me as their MLA, responsive to their needs. They say they have nobody to turn for help now,&#8221; he claimed.<\/p>\n<p id=\"6\" class=\"story_para_6\">He also asserted that he did not consider sitting RJD legislator Mukesh Raushan, a confidant of his younger brother, Tejashwi Yadav, as much of a challenge, saying, \u201cThe biggest thing for me is to work for the people. I sincerely do that and people love and trust me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"7\" class=\"story_para_7\">He filed his nomination papers carrying a photograph of his late grandmother, Marichiya Devi.<\/p>\n<p id=\"8\" class=\"story_para_8\">When reminded of the gesture, he said, \u201cOf course, she was the one with whose blessings my father rose in politics.&#8221; Asked whether he contacted his parents to seek their blessings, too, Yadav said, \u201cWe have not talked for some time. But I know their blessings are with me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"9\" class=\"story_para_9\">Reacting to Tejashwi Yadav being announced as Mahagathbandhan\u2019s chief ministerial candidate, Tej Pratap said, \u201cIt is politicians\u2019 trait to make announcements of various kinds. But power is enjoyed only by one who gets the people\u2019s blessings.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"10\" class=\"story_para_10\">He also drew from his earlier self-styled Krishna-Arjuna analogy with his younger brother, saying, \u201cOf course, as a younger brother he used to have my blessings. I could not have unleashed the Sudarshan Chakra on him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"11\" class=\"story_para_11\">Tej Pratap Yadav, who had always been overshadowed in public life by his savvy younger brother, seemed unimpressed with Tejashwi being named the INDIA bloc\u2019s chief ministerial candidate.<\/p>\n<p id=\"12\" class=\"story_para_12\">The former RJD leader, however, seemed to have retained his distaste for the ruling NDA.<\/p>\n<p id=\"13\" class=\"story_para_13\">\u201cPeople are not going to be deceived by the nefarious designs of the BJP-RSS combine anymore,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"14\" class=\"story_para_14\">On being asked how this election is different for him, since he is not part of the RJD, the JJD leader said, \u201cNothing is different. People of Mahua are my family. I am contesting elections under my own party, the symbol of which is blackboard.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"15\" class=\"story_para_15\">The RJD patriarch had expelled his eldest son from the party and the Yadav family for six years after a social media post went viral.<\/p>\n<p id=\"16\" class=\"story_para_16\">The post, containing a photograph of a woman named Anushka Yadav, claimed that Tej Pratap had been in a relationship with her for the past 12 years.<\/p>\n<p id=\"17\" class=\"story_para_17\">The post created uproar in Bihar\u2019s political circles, giving ammunition to rivals and deepening divisions within the RJD.<\/p>\n<p id=\"18\" class=\"story_para_18\">Tej Pratap later denied making the post, claiming that his Facebook account had been hacked and accusing his detractors of uploading the controversial content as part of a larger conspiracy. Yadav had tied the knot with Aishwarya, granddaughter of former Bihar Chief Minister Daroga Rai. However, within a few months, Aishwarya left his house alleging that she was driven out by her husband and in-laws, and the couple\u2019s divorce petition is pending before the family court.<\/p>\n<p id=\"19\" class=\"story_para_19\">After his expulsion from the RJD and distancing from Lalu Prasad Yadav\u2019s family, former minister Tej Pratap Yadav has launched a new political platform under the banner of \u2018Team Tej Pratap Yadav\u2019.<\/p>\n<p id=\"20\" class=\"story_para_20\">The first phase of the Bihar Assembly polls will take place on November 6, and the second phase will happen on November 11. The counting of votes will take place on November 14.<\/p>\n<p id=\"21\" class=\"story_para_21\"><em>(With inputs from PTI)<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atawrap\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atadetailwrp\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd ataname\"><span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atthumb\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Shobhit Gupta\" title=\"Shobhit Gupta\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Untitled-design-2025-06-421898aac7df12606d3395094d8b8840.png?impolicy=website&amp;width=60&amp;height=60\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"\/><\/figure>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd attitle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/byline\/shobhit-gupta-28018.html\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atamail\">Shobhit Gupta<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben&#8230;<span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben&#8230;<!-- --> <span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-3798513969 atbtlink Location\"><span>Location :<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Hajipur, India, India<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-3798513969 atbtlink fp\"><span>First Published:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"rs\">\n<p>October 25, 2025, 15:55 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-3798513969 brdcrmb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/\">News<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/elections\/\">elections<\/a>  <span class=\"brdout\"> &#8216;Will Choose Death Over Returning To RJD\u2019: Tej Pratap Yadav Ahead Of Bihar Polls<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"coral-wrap\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f \">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coral-cont\">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coltoptxt\">Disclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/disclaimer\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Terms of Use<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/privacy_policy\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-3798513969 rmbtn news18_read_more\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/elections\/will-choose-death-over-returning-to-rjd-tej-pratap-yadav-ahead-of-bihar-polls-ws-l-9658296.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Updated:October 25, 2025, 15:55 IST Tej Pratap Yadav, who had always been overshadowed in public life by his younger brother, seemed unimpressed with Tejashwi being named the INDIA bloc&#8217;s chief ministerial candidate. The estranged RJD leader, who now leads the newly formed Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD), said he was guided by \u201cprinciples and self-respect,\u201d&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20772,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20771"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20771\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}