NEW DELHI: Lalu Prasad Yadav was not on the ballot in the 2025 Bihar elections. His health is fragile, his legal battles continue and under his son Tejashwi Yadav’s leadership, their party RJD delivered one of its worst performances and was leading in just 25 seats. Lalu was far away from rallies and campaigns, yet across Bihar’s political battleground, one truth remains unchanged: Lalu remains relevant even today in the state politics. The shadow of ‘jungle raj‘ Lalu’s tenure as chief minister in the 1990s continues to define Bihar’s electoral narrative. For critics, especially within the NDA, that era remains shorthand for jungle raj — a period associated with lawlessness, gang violence and administrative collapse.
Election Results 2025
Throughout 2025 election campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar repeatedly invoked Lalu’s “misrule”, warning voters that a Mahagathbandhan government would drag Bihar back into those “dark days.”But the shadow of jungle raj is not just rhetorical, it is rooted in a period between 1990 and 2005 that many still describe as Bihar’s darkest phase. Kidnappings, extortion, and caste-based violence surged. Governance eroded, infrastructure crumbled, and the state’s economy stagnated. The infamous fodder scam further cemented Lalu’s reputation for systemic corruption and misuse of power.For a large section of voters, especially the young and aspirational, this legacy remains an indelible cautionary tale.Yet for millions among the backward castes, Dalits and minorities, the same era symbolises dignity and representation. Lalu’s supporters maintain that he broke the dominance of the traditional elite and spoke for the marginalised in a way no leader had before.‘Jab tak samose mein aalu rahega … ‘Few political slogans have captured Bihar’s emotions like the iconic line: “Jab tak rahega samose mein aalu, tab tak rahega Bihar mein Lalu.” It compares the potato in a samosa, indispensable and familiar, to Lalu’s unshakeable political relevance.Even in 2025, the slogan appears at rallies, on posters, memes, and WhatsApp forwards, underscoring that Lalu is not just a politician, he is a cultural presence.Tejashwi benefits & suffers at the same timeTejashwi Yadav found himself at the power centre of an already well-established party, courtesy his father Lalu Yadav. His political pitch leans heavily on his father’s legacy of social justice and backward caste empowerment and the familiar Muslim-Yadav vote bank. But Tejashwi also bears the burden of Lalu’s past.Despite his attempts to project a governance-focused message, he struggled to shake off the negative connotations of jungle raj. Many voters were unsure whether he represented a break from chaos or a continuation of old patterns. This ambiguity diluted his appeal, especially among voters seeking stability and development.The NDA exploited this effectively, framing the Mahagathbandhan as a return to disorder and misgovernance. Their messaging resonated deeply with upper castes and governance focused voters who fear a repeat of the 1990s.Internal friction within the RJD further complicated Tejashwi’s task. His elder brother Tej Pratap’s separate political front risked splintering the Yadav vote, while factionalism within allied parties weakened the perception of a disciplined, ready-to-govern alternative.Rejected & revered, yet always relevantWhat makes Lalu’s relevance extraordinary is that both alliances need him: RJD invokes him to consolidate backward caste and minority votes; NDA invokes him to warn voters against the return of lawlessness.This election once again proved that Lalu remains the pivot of Bihar politics, even in physical and political absence.The verdict of Bihar elections 2025 – Lalu still defines Bihar’s political vocabulary.This election proves a paradox: Lalu Prasad Yadav did not contest, he did not campaign, he barely appeared in public.And yet, no election speech was complete without his name, no NDA rally avoided invoking his legacy (even if in negative context) and no MGB strategy could ignore his symbolism.Loved by some, feared by others, but ignored by none, Lalu still remains central to Bihar’s political theatre. Go to Source
