Political highs for Tejashwi, financial gains for Tej Pratap
Digital Desk
Bihar’s biggest political ‘royal family’ is now officially in the electoral fray. Former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav filed his nomination on Wednesday, followed by his elder brother Tej Pratap on Thursday.
A close look at their election affidavits shows a striking contrast: Tejashwi’s political stature has soared, but so have his debts and legal troubles. Tej Pratap, meanwhile, has cleared his debts and boosted his income, even as he faces growing political isolation.
One thing both brothers share equally: the number of criminal cases against them has doubled over the past five years.
Tejashwi Yadav – Former Deputy CM / RJD
Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, is a key leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the younger son of Lalu Prasad Yadav. He filed his nomination from the Raghopur Assembly seat in Vaishali district on Wednesday. Raghopur has long been a stronghold of the Lalu family, and Tejashwi had won here in both 2015 and 2020.
Assets and debts
According to his 2025 election affidavit, Tejashwi’s net worth stands at ₹6.09 crore, up slightly from ₹5.89 crore in 2020. However, his liabilities have skyrocketed.
Five years ago, he had a modest government due of just ₹17,578. Today, his total liabilities have surged 108 times to ₹1.91 crore. The largest portion, ₹1.35 crore, is a disputed income tax, raising serious questions about his financial management.
Criminal cases surge 295%
While Tejashwi Yadav’s income has risen by 295% since 2020, the number of criminal cases against him has nearly doubled over the same period. In 2020, 11 cases were pending; by 2025, that number has climbed to 22.
The gravity of these cases goes beyond numbers. They include serious charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act), registered by the CBI and ED, which directly tarnish his public image.
A major setback came just before the elections: a Delhi court has now framed charges against him in the IRCTC ‘Land for Job’ scam. Legally, this means a formal trial will proceed, casting a long shadow over his political future and providing the opposition with a potent tool for attack.
Tej Pratap Yadav – Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD)
Former Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav has moved out of his family’s party, RJD, and is now fighting to retain his political ground from the Mahua Assembly constituency under his new party, Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD). His 2025 election affidavit reveals several notable insights.
Massive 637% jump in income
Financially, Tej Pratap presents a strikingly disciplined picture. In 2020, he had a bank loan of ₹17.58 lakh, but he is now completely debt-free. His total assets have grown modestly by 8.3%, reaching ₹2.88 crore.
The most eye-catching figure is his income, which has surged 637% over the last five years. For 2024–25, he declared an income of ₹22.93 lakh—almost double that of his younger brother Tejashwi, whose income stands at ₹11.46 lakh.
Lifestyle and legal matters
Tej Pratap Yadav continues to draw attention for his contrasting lifestyle. While he presents himself as a devotee of Krishna, often engaging in spiritual practices, he also has a taste for luxury. His 2025 affidavit reveals ownership of high-end vehicles, including a BMW, a Skoda, and superbikes like the CBR 1000RR, with a combined value of around ₹7 lakh.
Legal matters
Tej Pratap Yadav’s legal troubles have also grown. In 2020, he faced 5 cases; by 2025, that number has risen 60% to 8. The silver lining is that none of these cases involve corruption, and no charges have yet been framed. Most of the cases relate to local disputes, violations of the Epidemic Act, and personal matters, including domestic violence and dowry harassment complaints filed by his wife, Aishwarya Rai.
Battle of legacy and path to the future
The 2025 Bihar elections represent a crucial crossroads for both brothers, shaping the trajectory of their political futures.
Tejashwi’s challenge
- Safeguard his political standing amid mounting legal controversies.
- IRCTC trial and CBI-ED cases threaten to overshadow his Chief Ministerial ambitions.
- Every step under intense scrutiny from both courts and the public.
- Must convince voters that the cases are politically motivated and uphold his reputation for integrity.
Tej Pratap’s challenge
- Struggle for political survival after breaking away from the RJD.
- Build Janshakti Janata Dal as a credible and independent political force.
- Mahua election outcome will determine whether he commands his own support base or remains in the shadow of the Lalu-Rabri legacy.
- Election serves as a test of his personal charisma, leadership skills, and political strategy.
Who will inherit Lalu Yadav’s legacy?
The five years between 2020 and 2025 have reshaped the political and personal worlds of Tejashwi and Tej Pratap Yadav. Their election affidavits are more than numbers—they are a mirror reflecting ambitions, legal entanglements, and the divergent paths of two brothers born into the same dynasty.
Tejashwi’s rise as a political powerhouse contrasts sharply with Tej Pratap’s focus on wealth and self-reinvention. As Bihar heads to the polls, the stakes extend beyond government formation. Voters are faced with a deeper question: who truly embodies the legacy of Lalu Prasad Yadav—the heir groomed by family tradition or the challenger carving his own destiny?