The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), a name that reverberates through the heartland of Bihar, is more than just a political entity. It’s a saga of social justice, a rollercoaster of triumphs and tribulations. Founded in 1997 by the charismatic Lalu Prasad Yadav, the RJD was born from a schism within the Janata Dal. This center-left party has championed the cause of the downtrodden, becoming a beacon for Other Backward Classes, Dalits, and Muslims. Let’s delve into the captivating narrative of this influential force.
The Genesis of a Party: A Maverick’s Gambit
Imagine the fervor of July 5, 1997. In Delhi, a group of impassioned leaders, including the indomitable Pappu Yadav and Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, gathered to forge a new political path. This was the birth of the RJD, a defiant breakaway from the Janata Dal. Lalu Prasad Yadav, a name synonymous with Bihar, was crowned its first president. The RJD’s core ideology was rooted in the principles of social justice and secularism, aspiring to reshape society for the benefit of all.
Electoral Volatility: A Tempestuous Journey
The RJD’s journey has been a maelstrom of electoral highs and lows. In 1998, the party made a splash, securing 17 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. However, subsequent elections proved to be a brutal reminder of political volatility. The party’s alliance with the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1999 led to a devastating loss of 10 seats, even Lalu Prasad Yadav himself losing his seat. However, In 2000 state elections, RJD had a powerful comeback, winning a majority in Bihar.
The UPA Era: A Symphony of Power
The RJD’s alliance with the INC during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) era (2004-2009) was a pivotal moment. The party clinched an impressive 24 Lok Sabha seats, and Lalu Yadav held the powerful position of Minister of Railways. However, the party has had its fair share of set backs. In 2005, it suffered a demoralizing defeat in the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, losing its grip on power. The party’s alliance with the Lok Janshakti Party and the Samajwadi Party yielded only 4 seats in 2009.
The Grand Alliance and a Tumultuous Dance
The Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) was formed to challenge the BJP’s ascendance. In 2015 the RJD became the single largest party with 80 seats, and Tejashwi Yadav became the Deputy Chief Minister. But this alliance was short-lived. Corruption allegations against Tejashwi Yadav triggered political upheaval. Nitish Kumar, wanting to stay pure from the controversy, resigned, and forged a new alliance with the BJP. The INC and RJD factioned in 2021 over a dispute with Bihar election tickets. The pendulum swung once more, and in August 2022, the Mahagathbandhan was back. However, in January 2024, Nitish Kumar abandoned the alliance to team up with the BJP again, leaving the RJD on the opposition benches.
Controversies and Criticisms: A Shadow of Doubt
The RJD has been haunted by controversies, casting a dark shadow on its legacy. Mohammad Shahabuddin, a prominent leader, faced a litany of criminal charges. Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Chief Minister was marred by accusations of a breakdown in law and order, kidnapping, and the proliferation of private armies. The land-for-jobs scam, involving Lalu Prasad, his family members and other RJD leaders has added to the party’s problems.
Electoral Performance: A Numerical Tapestry
Let’s dissect the RJD’s electoral performance, a testament to its fluctuating fortunes:
Lok Sabha Elections
| Lok Sabha Term | Indian General Election | Seats Contested | Seats Won | % of Votes | State (Seats) |
| 13th | 1999 | 61 | 7 | 2.79 | Bihar (7) |
| 14th | 2004 | 42 | 24 | 2.4 | Bihar (22), Jharkhand (2) |
| 15th | 2009 | 44 | 4 | 1.3 | Bihar (4) |
| 16th | 2014 | 30 | 4 | 1.4 | Bihar (4) |
| 17th | 2019 | 21 | 0 | 1.1 | N/A |
| 18th | 2024 | 23 | 4 | 1.57 | Bihar (4) |
Bihar Vidhan Sabha (Lower House) Election
| Vidhan Sabha Term | Assembly Elections | Seats Contested | Seats Won | % of Votes | Party Votes |
| 11th | 2000 | 293 | 124 | 28.34 | 10,500,361 |
| 12th | 2005 Feb | 210 | 71 | 25.07 | 6,140,223 |
| 13th | 2005 Oct | 175 | 54 | 23.45 | 5,525,081 |
| 14th | 2010 | 168 | 22 | 18.84 | 5,475,656 |
| 15th | 2015 | 101 | 80 | 18.4 | 6,995,509 |
| 16th | 2020 | 144 | 75 | 23.11 | 9,738,855 |
Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha Election
| Vidhan Sabha Term | Assembly Elections | Seats Contested | Seats Won | % of Votes | Party Votes |
| 2nd | 2005 | 51 | 7 | 8.48 | |
| 3rd | 2009 | 56 | 5 | 5.03 | 517,324 |
| 4th | 2014 | 19 | 0 | 3.13 | 133,815 |
| 5th | 2019 | 7 | 1 | 2.75 | 413,167 |
Key RJD Leadership
The RJD’s organisational structure is led by:
- National President: Lalu Prasad Yadav
- Secretary General (National): Abdul Bari Siddiqui
- National Treasurer: Sunil Kumar Singh
- Vice Presidents (National): Mangani Lal Mandal, Mohammad Ilyas Hussain, Ahmed Ashfaq Karim, Rabri Devi, Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Shivanand Tiwary and Mehboob Ali Kaiser
Prominent Figures: The RJD is a party with a strong foundation, the party has many prominent leaders. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Md Ali Ashraf Fatmi, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, Alok Kumar Mehta, Mohammad Shahabuddin, Prem Kumar Mani, Jagada Nand Singh, Dr Tanweer Hassan, Shivchandra Ram, Ram Chandra Purve, Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav, Sarfaraz Alam, Manoj Jha, Prem Chand Gupta, Ahmad Ashfaque Karim, Surendra Prasad Yadav and K. P. Mohanan.
Rashtriya Janata Dal: A Legacy of Resilience
The RJD’s story is a potent reminder of the complexities of Indian politics. From its audacious beginnings to its present-day challenges, the party continues to wield considerable influence in Bihar. Whether this is a tale of a triumphant resurgence or the beginning of an inevitable decline, only time will unveil.
