Gaya: Ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, Lalu Yadav has officially entered the electoral race from the Belaganj assembly segment in Gaya district as an independent candidate. The move comes after several rival nominations, including those of Surendra Yadav, Manorama Devi, and Vishwanath Yadav, were disqualified by election authorities.
Speaking on his candidacy, Lalu Yadav, a resident of Makharour village in Barachatti block, said he was contesting independently due to longstanding grievances against local party politics. “Our community is not allowed to become leaders in Belaganj. One individual has represented the assembly segment for 32 years, followed by his son. That is why I am contesting from Belaganj as an independent,” he said.
Lalu Yadav previously contested the 2024 by-election in Belaganj, securing nearly 2,000 votes. A farmer by profession, he also holds a bachelor’s degree from Magadh University and owns agricultural equipment including an ICAR tractor. His total declared assets amount to Rs. 13.27 lakh.
The Belaganj seat is currently a hotspot of competition with 12 candidates in the fray. The major contenders include Manorama Devi of the NDA-supported JD(U) and Vishwanath Kumar Singh of the RJD-backed Mahagathbandhan, along with independent candidate Mohammad Shahabuddin of the Jan Suraj Party.
Historically, Belaganj has been a stronghold of the RJD, with Surendra Prasad Yadav representing the constituency for 32 years. Following his election to the Lok Sabha from Jehanabad, his son Vishwanath Singh contested the 2024 by-election but was defeated by Manorama Devi of JD(U). Despite RJD backing, Lalu Yadav is attempting to challenge the status quo as an independent voice in the assembly segment.
With multiple nominations rejected—including those of Surendra Yadav, Vishwanath Yadav, and Manorama Devi—the Belaganj contest now narrows down to a high-stakes battle, with independent Lalu Yadav seeking to leverage local support against established party machinery.
