In a dramatic turn of events within Bihar’s political landscape, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, a senior leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has issued a succinct 27-word letter expelling Tej Pratap Yadav from the party for six years. This move comes after a week of internal deliberations following Tej Pratap’s controversial actions that stirred unrest within the party and his family. Navbharat Times

1.Abdul Bari Siddiqui’s letter expelling Tej Pratap Yadav with Sudhakar Singh’s support

Adding to the complexity, Sudhakar Singh, former Agriculture Minister and son of RJD’s Bihar state president Jagdanand Singh, has openly supported Tej Pratap. Sudhakar Singh himself is under scrutiny for his outspoken criticism of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, leading to a show-cause notice from the party. Prabhat Khabar+3ThePrint+3www.ndtv.com+3www.ndtv.com+1ThePrint+1

The unfolding scenario places RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav at a crossroads, as he must navigate the internal discord threatening the party’s unity and public image.

2.Tej Pratap Yadav’s Expulsion: A Brief Overview

On May 25, 2025, Tej Pratap Yadav was officially expelled from the RJD and his family, a decision publicly confirmed by Abdul Bari Siddiqui through a terse letter issued seven days later. The expulsion was attributed to Pratap’s actions that allegedly disrupted party harmony and brought disrepute to the organization. Navbharat Times

Tej Pratap’s subsequent social media posts have been interpreted as attempts to reach out to his family and party members, signaling a potential desire for reconciliation or at least to present his side of the story to the public.

3.Sudhakar Singh’s Support: A New Dimension

Sudhakar Singh’s support for Tej Pratap introduces a new layer of complexity to the situation. Despite facing disciplinary action himself for criticizing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Sudhakar’s alignment with Tej Pratap suggests a faction within the RJD that is dissatisfied with the current leadership dynamics.

The party, under Lalu Yadav’s directive, issued a show-cause notice to Sudhakar Singh, emphasizing the importance of maintaining discipline and unity within the ranks. Abdul Bari Siddiqui stated that the notice was a procedural step, and further action would depend on Sudhakar’s response. ThePrint

4.Lalu Yadav’s Predicament: Steering Through Internal Turbulence

Lalu Prasad Yadav, recovering from a kidney transplant in Singapore, faces the daunting task of addressing the internal strife within his party. The expulsion of his elder son and the dissent from senior leaders like Sudhakar Singh pose significant challenges to his leadership and the party’s cohesion.www.ndtv.com

5.Why Was Tej Pratap Yadav Expelled?

Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, has always been a controversial figure in Bihar politics. Known for his unpredictable statements and maverick style, Tej Pratap’s behavior has often caused unease within his party. However, the recent rift that led to his six-year expulsion reportedly stemmed from actions seen as undermining party discipline and family unity.

According to insiders, Tej Pratap had been vocal in his criticism of senior party leaders and made unilateral public appearances that contradicted the party’s official positions. The final straw came when he made veiled remarks against his younger brother and RJD leader, Tejashwi Yadav, signaling a deeper familial discord that could no longer be contained internally.

The 27-word letter issued by Abdul Bari Siddiqui was curt and carried the weight of senior leadership approval. Although Siddiqui did not elaborate on the reasons, party sources reveal that the decision followed a series of internal warnings that Tej Pratap ignored.

6.How Sudhakar Singh’s Support Changes the Game

While most of the RJD top brass stayed silent or supported the party line, Sudhakar Singh’s open backing of Tej Pratap has stunned observers. Singh, known for his strong stance against corruption and inefficiency in the Nitish Kumar-led government, has increasingly distanced himself from the RJD’s current leadership narrative.

His support adds political weight to Tej Pratap’s position, raising questions: Is there a budding faction within RJD? Could Sudhakar Singh be eyeing a new alliance with other disillusioned leaders or even a new political front?

This move might be interpreted in two ways:

• A sympathetic gesture toward a fellow disgruntled leader.
• Or a calculated political maneuver to strengthen his standing within the party or beyond.

Either way, the implications are serious. If more leaders join this defiance, the RJD might face an internal split that could hurt its electoral prospects.

7.The Tej Pratap and Tejashwi Rivalry: An Open Secret?

Despite public denials, political analysts and party workers have long speculated about the rivalry between Tej Pratap and Tejashwi Yadav. Tejashwi, the younger sibling, has emerged as the de facto face of the RJD, especially after Lalu’s health declined and he took a step back from active politics.

Tej Pratap, once considered flamboyant and ineffective, has in recent times tried to project himself as a serious political player. But his efforts have been marred by frequent controversies, confusing public statements, and social media rants.

This underlying sibling rivalry now threatens to boil over, especially as Tej Pratap seeks external support—from party rebels like Sudhakar Singh—to re-establish his significance.

8.What Are the Legal and Political Implications of the Expulsion?

An expulsion from the party for six years carries not only political but legal ramifications. Tej Pratap will not be able to contest elections on an RJD ticket during this period. However, he still remains an MLA, unless further disciplinary actions are taken in the legislative assembly.

He could:

• Join another party (e.g., AIMIM, SP, or even float a new regional front).
• Fight the expulsion legally if due process wasn’t followed.
• Or wait for a compromise and return through a political truce, which Lalu Yadav is known to broker behind closed doors.

9.What Will Lalu Yadav Do Now?

Lalu Prasad Yadav, often hailed as a master political strategist, now faces one of the most delicate challenges of his career. This is not just about party politics—it’s about family, legacy, and the future of a party he built from the ground up.

His possible options include:

• Standing firm on the expulsion to set a precedent for discipline.
• Mediating quietly to bring Tej Pratap and Sudhakar Singh back into the fold.
• Delegating complete authority to Tejashwi Yadav, even if it means alienating a part of the traditional vote base.

Political observers believe Lalu’s move will be shaped by electoral calculations. With Bihar set to go into Assembly elections in 2025, he cannot afford to let this crisis linger. The BJP and JD(U) are watching closely, likely to exploit any visible fractures.

10.Can RJD Survive This Internal Crisis?

RJD has weathered many storms, from Lalu’s jail term to alliances falling apart. But this internal strife is different—it’s emotional, generational, and ideological.

To survive, the party must:

• Reaffirm its core values.
• Manage egos and dissent strategically.
• Empower Tejashwi without completely alienating other leaders.