Lalu Prasad, the 77-year-old founder of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, held his first and only roadshow on November 4, 2025, ahead of the first phase of Assembly polls scheduled for November 6. He campaigned for party candidate Ritlal Yadav in Danapur, a constituency Lalu himself won twice previously. Ritlal, the sitting MLA, is currently lodged in Bhagalpur Central Jail over an alleged extortion case but remains the RJD candidate. The seat has become a battleground where mixed emotions dominate. While some voters recall Lalu's legacy of social empowerment for smaller castes, others fear the return of lawlessness associated with his rule and Ritlal's criminal record. The NDA attacks the RJD by invoking memories of alleged jungle raj, while the opposition banks on anti-incumbency against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who has governed for 20 years. The BJP has fielded former Union minister Ram Kripal Yadav, hoping to split the Yadav vote. Danapur's outcome may reveal whether Lalu's influence still holds or whether voters prioritize change and employment over caste loyalty.
Ritlal Yadav's Criminal Background and Electoral Journey
Ritlal Yadav faces over 40 criminal cases, including charges of murder, extortion, rioting, and intimidation. He first gained attention in 2003 when accused in the murder of BJP leader Satyanarayan Sinha. In 2010, he contested as an Independent from jail and lost. By 2015, still imprisoned, he became an Independent MLC. Released on bail in 2019, he won the 2020 Assembly elections as an RJD candidate, defeating Asha Sinha. In April 2025, he surrendered in a Rs 50 lakh extortion case filed by a Danapur builder and was shifted to Bhagalpur jail amid concerns he was operating from behind bars.
Voter Sentiments: Between Legacy and Fear
Supporters like Ankit, a cloth shop owner, credit Lalu with giving dignity to smaller castes and breaking upper-caste dominance. However, others fear Ritlal's influence. A hardware shop owner says crime and snatching have risen under Ritlal's tenure. Another shopkeeper, Subodh Gupta, claims Ritlal's group demands money from businesses. Rajeev Kumar recalls that many businessmen fled Bihar during Lalu's rule due to looting and extortion. Yet, frustration with Nitish Kumar's long tenure drives some to vote for change. Rahis Kumar and Kanhaiya Rai emphasize the urgent need for jobs, hoping Tejashwi Yadav offers new opportunities despite reservations about Ritlal.
Source: Link