Lalu’s son Tej files for divorce, reason unclear

PATNA: Former health minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad’s elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, on Friday filed a petition seeking divorce from his wife of six months, Aishwarya Rai, leaving his family and party workers stunned.

Tej Pratap had married Aishwarya, daughter of senior RJD leader and former minister Chandrika Rai, on May 12 in Patna. Her grandfather Daroga Rai was chief minister of Bihar in the 1960s.

The divorce petition filed in a court in Patna, has been listed for hearing on November 29. The reason why Tej Pratap has sought divorce is still unclear. Even family members claimed ignorance. “I am totally ignorant about the petition. I am shocked and surprised,” said his eldest sister, Misa Bharti, a Rajya Sabha MP.

RJD chief’s close aide and MLA Bhola Yadav was not aware about the reasons that prompted Yadav to go for separation. “It is really surprising,” he said.

The lavish wedding of Tej Pratap and Aishwariya was a big event in the RJD’S first family and Lalu, serving jail term in fodder scam cases, also attended it after getting a parole. Efforts to contact Tej Pratap and his father-in-law Chandrika Rai proved futile.

In the evening, Rai was seen visiting Lalu’s residence with his daughter. Security has been increased at Lalu’s residence. There were reports that soon after filing the petition, Tej Pratap left for Ranchi to see his ailing father but was forced to return following pressure from family. “The divorce sought by Tej Pratap is a big blow to the RJD family. Nothing seems to be going right for them,” said a close aide of the RJD chief.