Tej Pratap Yadav gets engaged with Aishwarya Rai in Lalu's absence

Former Bihar chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi's elder son and ex-Bihar Minister, Tej Pratap Yadav, exchanged rings with Aishwarya Rai, the grand daughter of ex-Bihar CM Daroga Rai and daughter of senior RJD leader and MLA Chandrika Rai, at a traditional function attended by close family and friends in Patna on Wednesday.

The ring ceremony, however, took place in the absence of Lalu, who is currently serving sentence in three fodder scam cases and is undergoing treatment at All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi.

Tej, who celebrated his 29th birthday a couple of days ago, was accompanied by his mother Rabri, younger brother Tejashwi and their sisters and brothers-in-law. Aishwarya, 25, who is a management graduate, was flanked by her parents Chandrika and Purnima Rai and siblings during the ceremony.

Minutes after the ceremony got over, Tej Pratap wrote an emotional "Miss you PAPA" message with a sad emoticon on Twitter.

Tej and Aishwarya are likely to exchange the wedding vows on May 12 in Patna. Following the ceremony, Rabri told reporters that Lalu was expected to be present in the wedding ceremony (on parole, if not bail).