Tej Pratap ties up with VVIP ahead of Bihar polls, says 'If RJD wants to form an alliance, it can'

Tej Pratap Yadav

Days after being expelled from Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) by his father Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav on Tuesday announced an alliance with the Vikas Vanchit Insan Party (VVIP) ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections.

He had previously announced that he would contest the upcoming Assembly elections from Mahua seat in Vaishali district as an independent candidate.

Speaking to reporters, Tej Pratap said, "They have been old friends who have joined us. One friend is becoming a support... We have to move forward together... If RJD also wants to form an alliance, it can."

#WATCH | Patna | Former Bihar Minister Tej Pratap Yadav forms alliance with VVIP party, he says, "They have been old friends who have joined us. One friend is becoming a support... We have to move forward together... If RJD also wants to form an alliance, it can." pic.twitter.com/3TiupVXhdJ

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2025

He also told the media that he was not on talking terms with Tejashwi Yadav but gave his blessings to his younger brother. “Tejashwi Yadav won’t contest from Mahua ever. I have always blessed him… No, we are not on talking terms," he said, PTI reported.

VVIP party is led by Pradeep Nishad. At a press conference, Tej Pratap said, "“Representatives of several parties are here and they all have agreed to support ‘Team Tej Pratap’. We will together fight battle ahead. We are aware that it will be a challenging battle ahead."

Tej Pratap Yadav is currently the MLA of the Hasanpur seat in Samastipur district. He made his political debut in the 2015 assembly polls and is a second-term MLA with two brief stints in the state cabinet.

He was expressed from RJD for six years by his father Lalu Prasad Yadav over his “relationship" with a woman named Anushka.