Politics, drama, and dynasty in India: Lalu Yadav, Nitish Kumar battle for Bihar

Nitish Kumar, the current chief minister of Bihar, and Lalu Prasad Yadav, the former chief minister, are bitter political rivals today — but once upon a time, they were best friends and allies. Their political fortunes, like Siamese twins, have long mirrored each other’s rise and fall — whether in matters of health or power.

Now, in a dramatic chapter that could only unfold in Bihar politics, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Yadav has publicly and emphatically disowned his elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav — politically and personally. This came after Tej Pratap reportedly posted pictures with his “friend” Anushka Yadav, claiming he had been in a relationship with her for 12 years — the same period during which he was married to Aishwarya Rai (from whom he is currently seeking a divorce). He later claimed his social media accounts were hacked and denied posting the pictures.

Neither Lalu Yadav nor his political heir and younger son, Tejashwi Yadav, accepted the hacking excuse. Taking his “complicated” relationship status seriously, they expelled Tej Pratap from the party, claiming he had violated the values they lived by.

With Bihar elections just months away and politics permanently in high gear, many expected Nitish Kumar — whom Tejashwi mockingly calls “Paltu Chacha” for his frequent flips between alliances, especially with the BJP — to seize on the Yadav family drama. But Kumar has troubles of his own.

His latest public gaffe occurred just a day after Lalu disowned his son — Kumar placed a flowerpot on an official’s head during a public event after being gifted a plant. It’s the latest in a series of increasingly erratic public behaviours: laughing during solemn events, walking away while the national anthem plays, and more. These incidents are sparking concern within his own party and among BJP allies, especially as the election draws near. His son, Nishant Kumar, is now a constant presence at public events, gently steering and supporting him. As loyal readers of SWAT Analysis know, I had predicted Nishant’s debut in public life during these very elections.

While Kumar appears to be having his “senior moments,” Lalu Yadav has endured significant health challenges. In 2022, he underwent a kidney transplant in Singapore, with his daughter Rohini Acharya as the donor. He had an angioplasty in 2023 and previously underwent open-heart surgery in 2014. Though barred from contesting elections due to his conviction in the fodder scam, Lalu still wields immense influence in Bihar politics — much like Kumar.

The two leaders began their political journeys together, grounded in the plank of social justice. Even today, they remain the twin fulcrums around which Bihar’s political scene revolves.

Meanwhile, the BJP — the third major player in the state — is increasingly uneasy with Kumar’s growing list of conditions for continuing the alliance. The party sees an opportunity to expand its influence, but only if it can outmanoeuvre the RJD.

The Yadav family soap opera is seen as an opening. Tej Pratap is no stranger to controversy — from dressing up as Hindu deities to asking police officers to dance. His 2018 marriage to Aishwarya Rai — the granddaughter of former Chief Minister Daroga Rai — was troubled from the start. She eventually left the Yadav household, alleging domestic abuse by Tej Pratap and harassment by her mother-in-law, Rabri Devi (also a former chief minister). Now, Aishwarya claims the Yadav family knew about Tej Pratap’s long-standing relationship and used the marriage to further their political image, only to disown him now to save face before the elections.

What Bihar’s electorate will make of this public airing of dirty laundry remains unclear. The voter base has traditionally been forgiving of the Yadavs’ controversies, and Tejashwi is still seen as a hardworking young leader among RJD supporters.

These will be the first Bihar elections where the twin titans — Yadav and Kumar — will not dominate unilaterally. Kumar’s party wants him projected as the chief minister, but the BJP is not entirely on board — and tense negotiations continue. Lalu, meanwhile, has handed over the public mantle to Tejashwi but still calls the shots behind the scenes.

The elections should ideally focus on bijli, sadak, paani (electricity, roads, water) and Bihar’s chronic development woes. But this is Indian politics. As of today, the biggest political news in Bihar is not policy — but the birth of Tejashwi Yadav’s son.

Dynasty, as always, remains at the heart of the state’s political narrative.