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It was a moment that could’ve been straight out of a family drama-based movie — except this one unfolded at an airport, with cameras rolling. Tej Pratap Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, both in the thick of their election campaigns, crossed paths unexpectedly. For a brief moment, the brothers — often separated by politics and temperament — shared an awkward handshake and half-hearted smiles before walking their separate ways. For onlookers, it wasn’t just a fleeting reunion of two brothers. But, it was a reminder of the man who continues to cast a long shadow over Bihar’s politics and his family’s destiny — Lalu Prasad Yadav. The question remains if Lalu Prasad, who has been keeping indoors for years due to failing health, is still the most enduring political force in Bihar or not. The Humble Beginnings of Lalu Parasad Lalu Prasad was born in Bihar's Gopalganj district in 1948. After completing his LLB from Patna University, he began working as a political and social worker and a lawyer. He began his political career during his college days. He had served as the general secretary and later the president of the students' union at Patna University. Later, he actively joined Jayprakash Narayan's Bihar movement in 1974. In 1977, Lalu Prasad won the Lok Sabha election from Chapra at the age of 29, becoming the youngest Member of Parliament. Lalu Yadav served as Bihar Chief Minister from 1990 to 1997 and later as Union Minister for Railways in the Congress-led UPA government from 2004 to 2009. He faced a major downfall after being accused and later convicted in Rs 900 crore fodder scam. Lalu Prasad Saga: Jungle Raj, Jail and Fading Health When Lalu Prasad became the chief minister of Bihar, he was hailed as the messiah of the backward classes. He rose as the leader who who gave voice to the marginalised. Under his leadership, the Rashtriya Janata Dal consolidated the powerful combination of Yadavs and Muslims, transforming it into a formidable political base that dominated Bihar’s politics for over a decade. However, the same period came to be labelled by critics as Bihar’s “Jungle Raj,” marked by deteriorating law and order, rampant corruption, and administrative paralysis, a curse RJD is fighting till today. While Lalu maintained that his governance empowered the poor and broke the monopoly of the elite, the opposition accused him of plunging the state into chaos and criminalisation of politics. His downfall began with allegations of fraud and corruption scams. They not not only tarnished his image but also forced him to resign as Chief Minister in 1997, making way for his wife Rabri Devi to take over. It was a move that kept his influence intact but eroded the credibility of his governance. Over the years, multiple judicial trails and convictions, kept him away from active politics. Further, his deteriorating health with ageing kept him away from public sight. The septuagenarian, who has undergone a heart surgery and a kidney transplant, was last seen in public when his son Tejashwi Yadav, the INDIA bloc's CM candidate, filed nomination papers for the Raghopur seat at the collectorate in Vaishali district. Lalu Prasad: A Pariah or Most Enduring Force in Bihar? Lalu Yadav was once the undisputed leader of Bihar with a strong support of Yadavs and Muslims. He ruled for 15 long years in the state and also held crucial positions at the Centre. However, he soon turned into a pariah in the political circles, however, the crowd that had gathered for a glance of the leader in the recent days seem to tell a different story. Before the first phase of polling, Lalu Prasad undertook a drive to Phulwari Sharif constituency, in what is being seen as a "road show" by the great crowd puller. The reserved constituency, which also has a sizeable population of Muslims, is situated just a few kilometres away from the residence of Prasad, who chose to wave at onlookers from inside his car. In Phulwari Sharif, which is being contested by RJD ally CPI(ML) Liberation, the former Bihar CM, who was travelling alone, chose not to get out of his vehicle. Earlier, he took a similar journey to Danapur, on the outskirts of the city, to garner support for sitting RJD MLA Reet Lal Yadav. While son Tejashwi Yadav is playing his part for revival of RJD, and fighting the 'jungle raj' allegations, back-to-back poor performance in the assembly elections had people questioning if the M-Y combination still backs Lalu and can the fortunes of Rashtriya Janata Dal be revived. Whether his legacy endures through his son or fades with time remains a question only Bihar’s voters can answer on November 14. For the Latest news, India News, Bihar Election 2025 updates and breaking stories from around the world, visit Times Now for live coverage and in-depth reporting.
