'It's all pre-poll drama. I was beaten, starved... where was Lalu then?'

PATNA: Tej Pratap Yadav 's estranged wife Aishwarya Rai accused Lalu Prasad's family of staging a "drama" by expelling their elder son from RJD , amid a controversy over his alleged 12-year relationship with Anushka Yadav.

"Will Lalu separate his son just by writing four lines on X?" she asked Monday, in her first public reaction that the move was a cover-up timed before Bihar assembly elections . "These people can never separate. Yesterday evening itself Rabri Devi must have gone to him wiping tears and said, 'Stay calm for a few days, we will make everything right'."

Tej Pratap married Aishwarya, granddaughter of former CM Daroga Prasad Rai, in 2018. Just five months later, he filed for divorce. Their case is still pending.

Aishwarya alleged long-standing abuse. "I was beaten and my food was stopped - but where was Laluji? The court found them guilty of domestic violence , but with their influence they hid it," she said.

Two-time MLA Tej Pratap, 36, claimed on social media Saturday that he had been in a relationship despite being married. He later deleted the post. Lalu responded Sunday on X, disowning him and announcing his expulsion from RJD.

Aishwarya said: "When Tej Pratap accepted this relationship for 12 years, it is obvious everyone in the family knew. They are not concerned about how many times their son got married. But now that this matter came out before elections, the drama of taking action is being staged."

On Tejashwi Yadav 's disapproval of the viral post, Aishwarya said: "He himself must have told the family to stay calm before everything is set right."

Lalu, Rabri Devi, and daughter Misa Bharti left for Kolkata Monday, where Tejashwi's wife Rajshree Yadav is expecting their second child. On Aishwarya's allegations, RJD MP Misa said: "The matter is in court."