Patna:
With the NDA securing 202 seats in the Bihar Assembly elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took oath for the 10th time on Thursday, along with his new council of ministers. Among the prominent faces inducted into the cabinet is Ram Kripal Yadav, the BJP leader who delivered one of the election’s most symbolic victories by demolishing Lalu Yadav’s long-standing stronghold in Danapur.
The Man Who Broke Lalu’s Danapur Stronghold
From the Danapur Assembly seat, Ram Kripal Yadav defeated RJD’s strongman Reetlal Yadav by a margin of over 30,000 votes—a win the BJP has now honored by elevating him to the state cabinet. His victory is being seen as a major political statement against the RJD camp, especially given his own political history with the Yadav family.
From Lalu’s Closest Aide to His Political Opponent
Born on 12 October 1957, Ram Kripal Yadav was once counted among Lalu Prasad Yadav’s closest confidants, often referred to as Lalu’s “younger brother.” However, the relationship turned bitter when the RJD denied him a ticket after Lalu’s conviction. Contesting as an Independent from Pataliputra, Ram Kripal secured a surprise victory—marking the beginning of his political shift.
He later joined the BJP, eventually serving as Minister of State for Rural Development in the Central government.
Defeated Misa Bharti Twice
Ram Kripal’s credibility grew further when he defeated Lalu’s daughter Misa Bharti twice—in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections—both times contesting on a BJP ticket. Though he lost the 2024 Lok Sabha battle from Pataliputra, the party kept its trust in him.
Educational Background
He holds a B.A. and a Law degree from Magadh University, Patna. His political journey began in 1991, when he became an MP from Patna on an RJD ticket. He entered Parliament again in 1996 and 2004, and in 2009, he even vacated his seat for Lalu Yadav after delimitation transformed Patna into the Pataliputra constituency—a seat Lalu still lost despite being the Railways Minister.
A Big Comeback in 2025
After his 2024 defeat, the BJP fielded him from Danapur in the 2025 Assembly polls. He staged a remarkable comeback, defeating Reetlal Yadav decisively and reclaiming political prominence. This emphatic win paved the way for his induction into Nitish Kumar’s new cabinet.
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