He won the trust of Muslims who were once a vote bank for Congress, but had lost their faith after the 1989 Bhagalpur riots. Lalu Yadav created a niche for himself in a span of 10 years.
Lalu became the frontrunner for the National Front in Bihar not only in the state Assembly election but also in the 1989 general elections.
Lalu became the chief minister of Bihar in 1990. His excellence was such that his party's contribution in 1990 was recognized by the World Bank.
In 1996, the Fodder Scam came into the lime light in which it was revealed that an amount of Rs 9.50 billion was involved. His involvement led to his resignation from Chief Minister's post. Lalu with some other officials were convicted in the case.
His sudden resignation, because of a CBI probe and his imminent arrest, forced him to look for a dependable politician to hold the chief minister's seat, till he returned. He decided to anoint his wife Rabri Devi to the top post.
Politics was never Rabri's cup of tea which made her election as the chief minister of Bihar the most unforeseen act in the history of Indian politics.
