Big fight in Bihar

As election fever grips Bihar, the political atmosphere is charged with anticipation, rhetoric, and rivalry in the run up to the November election. The state once again stands at the centre of a fierce contest between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Janata Dal (United)’s Nitish Kumar, and its principal challenger, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Yet beyond the usual campaign noise, an undercurrent of political tension surrounds the renewed focus on veteran leader Lalu Prasad Yadav’s long-standing legal troubles.For Lalu, once among India’s most charismatic and entertaining politicians, life seems to have come full circle. The man who once filled the Lok Sabha with laughter and charmed millions with his rustic wit now finds himself increasingly isolated. As the saying goes, when he laughed, the world laughed with him; but now, when he weeps, he weeps alone. The ghost that continues to shadow him is the infamous fodder scam, first unearthed in 1996 when Lalu was Bihar’s Chief Minister (1990–1997). The case involved the fraudulent withdrawal of nearly ₹950 crore from the state’s treasuries over two decades, routed through the Animal Husbandry Department using forged documents for fictitious livestock and supplies. It remains one of the most notorious corruption scandals in India’s political history. Convicted in several cases linked to the scam, Lalu has been barred from contesting elections. For the man who once embodied the spirit of Bihar’s political awakening, it is a humbling turn of fate. His supporters, known for their earthy humour, have even rephrased the once-popular local rhyme: “Jab tak rahega samosa mein aloo, tab tak Bihar mein rehega Lalu” into a sardonic twist: “Jab tak rahega samosa mein aloo, tab tak rahega jail mein Lalu.” However, the renewed activity of investigating agencies in the run-up to the polls raises eyebrows. The timing suggests a degree of political calculation, as the central government appears eager to keep Lalu-and by extension, the RJD-on the defensive. Lalu’s long history as a vocal critic of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi adds a sharper edge to these developments.Within the NDA, the situation is not entirely comfortable either. The death of BJP’s tallest leader in the state, Sushil Kumar Modi, has left a noticeable leadership vacuum. The party’s organisational strength remains intact, but it lacks a unifying state-level figure. This places even greater pressure on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose frequent political realignments have both defined and diluted his image. Once admired for his governance and pragmatism, Nitish now faces questions about his consistency, health, and political longevity. Meanwhile, the RJD, under Tejashwi Yadav, hopes to capitalise on public fatigue with the status quo. Tejashwi has emerged as a promising youth leader, but his party’s prospects remain tied to the performance of its Mahagathbandhan ally-the Congress-a party still struggling to recover from its long electoral decline. In November, Bihar’s electorate will again deliver their verdict. The outcome will decide not only Nitish Kumar’s political future but also whether Lalu’s legacy, through Tejashwi, finds new life. Whatever the result, Bihar’s politics-rich in rhetoric, demagoguery, contradictions and enduring resilience-will continue to mirror the broader story of Bihar politics itself.