Lalu Prasad Yadav is an Indian politician who belongs to the political party Rashtriya Janata Dal. He founded the party in 1997 after breaking ties with the Janata Dal over the fodder scam issue. He was the first president of the newly founded party and continues to be its president today.
He has held key positions in both the Parliament and the State Legislative Assembly. From 2004 to 2009, he served as the Railway Minister under the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
He is the former Chief Minister of Bihar who held this post from 1990 to 1997. He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) of the 15th Lok Sabha from Saran constituency in Bihar, but was disqualified from the post on conviction.
For his involvement in the 1996 fodder scam. He was ordered to undergo rigorous imprisonment for five years and a fine of ₹ 25 lakh.
On 13 December 2013, hearing his appeal, the Supreme Court of India granted him bail on one of the six cases registered against him in the fodder scam issue.
On February 21, 2022, a special CBI court imposed a five-year rigorous sentence and a fine of ₹ 60 lakh in the fodder scam case.
Lalu Prasad Yadav Biography & Wiki
| Real Name/Full Name | Lalu Prasad Yadav |
| Nick Name | Lalu |
| Profession | Politician |
| Political Party | Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) 1977 |
| Physical Stat | |
| Height | In Centimeter- 168 cm In Meter- 1.68 m In Feet- 5’6” |
| Weight | In Kilogram- 80 kg In Pound- 176 lbs |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | White |
| Personal Life | |
| Date Of Birth | 11 June 1948 |
| Lalu Prasad Yadav Age (2022) | 74 Years |
| Birthplace | Phulwaria, Gopalganj, Bihar |
| Zodiac Sign/Sun Sign | Gemini |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Home town | Phulwaria, Gopalganj, Bihar |
| College/University | B.N. College Patna, Patna University, Patna, Bihar |
| Educational Qualification | B.A LL.B |
| Religion/Cast | Hinduism |
| Family Member | |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Lalu Prasad Yadav Wife | Rabri Devi (Politician) |
| Marriage Date | 1 June 1973 |
| Children | Daughter– Misha, Rohini, Bharti, Chanda, Hema, Rajalakshmi and Dhannu Son– Tej Pratap and Tejaswi |
| Parents | Father– Kundan Rai Mother– Marachhiya Devi |
| Sibling | Brother– Gulab Chand Yadav |
| Income | |
| Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Net worth (2022) | ₹ 3.05 Crore |
Childhood & Early Life
Lalu Prasad Yadav was born on 11 June 1948 in Phulwaria which is located in Gopalganj district of Bihar state. He is the second son of Kundan Rai and Marachhiya Devi from a poor farming family.
He did his primary education in a school in Bihar Military Police No. Here he studied till the seventh standard. Thereafter, he moved to Patna with his elder brother.
He completed his bachelor’s degree in law and masters degree in political science from BN College under Patna University.
He worked as a clerk after graduating from Bihar Veterinary College in Patna. His elder brother also worked as a peon there.
In 2004, Lalu Prasad was awarded an honorary doctorate by Patna University, which he declined.
Lalu Yadav’s Personal Life
On 1 June 1973, Lalu Prasad Yadav married Rabri Devi. The couple has seven daughters: Misha, Rohini, Bharti, Chanda, Hema, Rajalakshmi and Dhannu. They have two sons Tej Pratap and Tajaswi.
When Lalu Prasad Yadav resigned as the Chief Minister of Bihar in the year 1997 after allegations of corruption against him for his involvement in the 1996 fodder scam, Rabri Devi became the Chief Minister of Bihar and after several interruptions till 2005 Remained too.
The move was heavily criticised by opposition parties, who accused Rabri Devi of serving as Lalu Prasad’s surrogate.
Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Career
Lalu Prasad Yadav’s first step in Indian politics was as a student. He contested the election of Patna University Association. The move is believed to have given him membership of the Janata Party to contest and become a member of the Sixth Lok Sabha in 1977. He became one of the youngest members of the then Parliament at the age of 29.
- In 1977, he won the Lok Sabha election for the first time at the age of 29. He was elected as Member of Parliament from Chapra.
- From 1980 to 1989, he served for two consecutive terms as a member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
- In 1989, he made a big comeback with the voters of Bihar by giving a mandate to an alliance of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD and Nitish Kumar’s JD(U):
- Leader of Opposition in Bihar Legislative Assembly
- Convener of Public Undertakings Committee
- chairman of library committee
- Elected for the second term in the 9th Lok Sabha
- He was a member of the Bihar Legislative Council from 1990 to 1995.
- He was the Chief Minister of Bihar from 1990 to 1997.
- From 1995 to 1998, he was a member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
- His involvement in the fodder scam was revealed in 1996.
- In 1997, he separated himself from the Janata Dal and formed a new party called Rashtriya Janata Dal.
- In 1998, he was elected for the third time as a member of the 12th Lok Sabha.
- From 1998 to 1999 he was a member of:
- Home Affairs Committee
- Committee on General Purposes
- Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
- In 2004, he was elected as a member of the 14th Lok Sabha and became a cabinet minister in the Ministry of Railways. His party emerged as a key member of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
- In 2009 he was re-elected for a fifth term as a member of the 15th Lok Sabha.
- After being convicted in the fodder scam case in 2013, Lalu Prasad was barred from contesting elections for the next six years.
- In the 2015 Bihar Assembly elections, his party made a big comeback with the voters of Bihar by giving mandate to an alliance of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD and Nitish Kumar’s JD(U).
Lalu Prasad Yadav Controversy
Fodder Scam
Lalu Prasad Yadav was accused of being involved in the fodder scam of 1996, where he was accused of misappropriating huge amounts (approximately Rs.9.50 billion) from the Animal Husbandry Department.
On 30 September 2013, he, along with 44 others, including politicians and IAS officers, were convicted by a CBI court and sentenced to 5 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25.
He was taken to Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi. As a result of this incident, he was disqualified as a Member of Parliament and not allowed to contest for the next six years.
On his appeal, the Supreme Court of India granted him bail on December 13, 2013, one of the six cases registered against him in the fodder scam issue.
He was released from prison on December 16, 2013. On 21 February 2022, he was jailed for 5 years and fined Rs 60 lakh.
Disproportionate Assets Case
In 1998, a case of disproportionate assets was registered against Lalu. The Income Tax Department, which claimed that Lalu had withdrawn Rs 46 lakh from the exchequer, also named Rabri as a co-accused for abetting the crime.
Both surrendered in the CBI court in 2000. Rabri Devi who was the Chief Minister at that time was granted bail. Lalu was also later granted bail by the Patna High Court. He was acquitted in the case in 2006.
Accused of plotting Jinnah’s death
In 2004, Lalu Prasad Yadav accused BJP veteran and then Leader of the Opposition LK Advani of plotting the death of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He called Advani an “international fugitive”.
IRCTC Scam
When Lalu was the Railway Minister in the UPA government in 2004. The CBI alleged that Rabri and Tejashwi were given prime properties in Patna at nominal prices
The CBI alleges that Lalu misused his position and took advantage of the Sujata Hotel. Vinay and Vijay Kochhar are the owners of Sujata Hotel. In return, he bought “high priced land” through a benami company, Delight Marketing Company, for Rs 1.5 crore.
Between 2010 and 2014, the ownership of the company was gradually handed over to Rabri and Tejashwi.
Some Facts About Lalu Prasad Yadav
- Lalu Prasad has written his autobiography named Gopalganj to Raisina Road
- Talking about films made on Lalu Yadav, then Bollywood film Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav (Bollywood), as himself (special appearance), Mahua (Bhojpuri), Gudri Ke Lal (Bhojpuri)
- Upcoming Bhojpuri film Lalten is a biopic based on the life of Lalu Prasad.
- A writer named Neena Jha has written a book on Lalu Prasad named Lalu Prasad, India’s miracle.
- Book named Laloo Prasad Yadav: A Charismatic Leader was published in 1996.
- “The Making of Laloo Yadav, The Unmaking of Bihar”, updated and reprinted under the title “Subaltern Sahib: Bihar and the Making of Laloo Yadav”, is a book based on Lalu’s life by Sankarshan Thakur.
FAQ
How many children does Lalu Yadav have?
Lalu Yadav has 9 children in which 2 boys and 7 girls.
Where was Lalu Yadav born?
Village Phulwaria, District Gopalganj, Bihar
What is Lalu Yadav’s education?
BA, LLB