Patna: Ram Kripal Yadav, once a close aide of Lalu Prasad and known as “Hanuman” of the RJD chief for remaining by his side in good and bad times, had rebelled to join BJP just before Lok Sabha polls.
Not only did he defeat Lalu's daughter Misa Bharti from Patliputra, 57-year-old Ram Kripal, who has never been a minister at the Centre or in Bihar, today became part of Modi ministry.
His induction in the Union Council of Ministers is seen as a strategy of BJP to make a dent in Yadav vote bank in the Assembly polls next year in Bihar.
Yadavs constitute over 12 per cent votes in Bihar and have been identified with Lalu Prasad. But, BJP made inroads in this category in the recent Lok Sabha election, hardselling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's image as tea seller and that he belonged to a backward caste.
His presence in the Ministry could prove vital in wooing Yadav voters. Yadav, who fell apart from his “guru” Lalu after being denied ticket by RJD from Patliputra, may be a first time MP from BJP, but he is no novice in electoral politics.
The May 2014 victory helped him enter the Lok Sabha for the fourth time. The previous three times were on RJD ticket.
He represented Patna constituency before its bifurcation into Patna Sahib and Patliputra seats in 2009 poll.
He was made member of Rajya Sabha from RJD in July 2010 after he had vacated Patliputra seat for Lalu Prasad in 2009 which Prasad had lost to his friend-turn-foe Ranjan Yadav of JD(U).
Though he has a long political career, Ram Kripal Yadav has never been a minister either in Bihar or at the Centre though RJD was part of UPA-I and had half-a-dozen ministers.
Rising from the grassroots, Ram Kripal Yadav served as Deputy Mayor of Patna Municipal Corporation from 1992-93. He was also member of Legislative Council from 1993-96.
Born on October 12, 1957 in Bihar capital Patna, Ram Kripal Yadav had a difficult childhood after his father Kishori Prasad passed away.
He is a graduate from Magadh University and also holds a LLB degree. Ram Kripal Yadav was married to Kiran Devi in 1983. He has two sons and a daughter.
