Rift in Lalu family deepens: Tej Pratap Yadav slams Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi after Aurangabad scuffle
Patna: The simmering rift within RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family has widened further, with elder son and Hasanpur MLA Tej Pratap Yadav launching a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his younger brother, Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav.
The controversy erupted after an alleged scuffle during the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Aurangabad involving the driver of Nabinagar MLA Vijay Kumar Singh alias Dablu Singh and his journalist brother. Sharing a video of the incident on X, Tej Pratap questioned Rahul and Tejashwi’s role in the campaign, saying, “I am not able to understand whether they have come out to save democracy or destroy it. The way Dablu Singh’s driver and his brother were beaten and abused by Jaichands is extremely wrong and shameful.”
Warning Tejashwi against “Jaichands” around him, he added, “Be careful, otherwise you will see very bad results in the elections. The results will decide how intelligent you are.”
This is not the first time Tej Pratap has alleged betrayal within his brother’s circle. Earlier, after a photo controversy involving him, he had accused Tejashwi’s associates of plotting against him, leading to his expulsion from the party and family for six years.
With fresh remarks, political observers say the sibling rivalry has resurfaced at a crucial time for the RJD ahead of the Assembly polls.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav continued their Yatra, holding public meetings in Gaya on Monday before moving to Nawada on Tuesday, where INDIA bloc leaders plan to highlight “vote chori” allegations against the BJP and the Election Commission.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee drowns in sea
Kolkata (PTI): Popular Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee died on Sunday after drowning in the sea at Talsari beach in Odisha, film industry sources said.
He was 43, and left behind his 13-year-old son and actor-wife Priyanka Sarkar.
He had gone to the beach, located near Digha in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district, for shooting a Bengali soap titled 'Bhole Baba Par Karega', his co-actor Diganta Bagchi said.
"After today's shoot, he went alone to the water but somehow got entangled in something under the water... The exact circumstances are not clear. Suddenly, people, including crew members, were shouting that Rahul was drowning and we pulled him out of the water. We rushed him to Digha hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead," Bagchi said.
A West Bengal Police officer said the actor was declared dead at Digha hospital after being brought from a sea beach in neighbouring Odisha.
"We have contacted our counterparts in Odisha to ascertain the sequence of events. A case of unnatural death has been registered in Digha police station as well. We are also talking to his production team members and eyewitnesses," he said.
Expressing grief over the incident, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a statement, "I am shocked, deeply saddened to hear the news that the distinguished, young, and popular actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee is suddenly no longer among us."
"I am unable to comprehend what exactly happened. He was one of my favourite actors and a person I truly admired. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family, loved ones, and countless admirers," she added.
"Rahul's sudden passing is an irreparable loss to the Bengali entertainment industry, to both Tollywood and television," she pointed out.
Rahul, known in the Bengali television industry for his character roles, had been active in soaps for several years.
He shot to fame with his role in the blockbuster 'Chirodini tumi je amar' in 2008, followed by a string of hits such as 'Tumi asbe bole' (2014), 'Zulfiqar' (2016), 'Byomkesh Gotro' (2018), 'Biday Byomkesh' (2018), 'The Academy of Fine Arts' (2025), among others.
He had acted in TV serials such as 'Hargouri pice hotel' and 'Mohonna'.
Expressing shock over the news, director Raj Chakraborty said, "After I received phone calls about his death, I wished it was not true. But, later it was confirmed."
Chakraborty, who had directed 'Chirodini tumi je amar', casting Rahul in the lead role, said he was a spontaneous actor and had immense possibilities.
"I am in a state of shock," he said.
Actor-director Anjan Dutta said he had known Rahul for many years and was not in a condition to speak about the incident.
