By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Shyam Rajak, a former minister and six-time MLA from Phulwari Sharif, rejoined JD(U) today. A special gathering was organised at the JD(U) office, where Rajak was formally inducted into the party by the national executive president, Sanjay Jha, and state president, Umesh Kushwaha. Several senior party leaders, including Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Minister Ratnesh Sada, and Minister Sunil Kumar, were also present. Rajak had resigned from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on 22 August.
Rajak, who was first elected as an MLA from Phulwari Sharif in 1995, was once considered a close aide of Lalu Yadav. He was a longstanding member of the RJD, and during Rabri Devi’s tenure as Chief Minister, he served as a minister. However, after Nitish Kumar came to power in Bihar, Rajak became disillusioned with Lalu Yadav. In June 2009, he left the RJD and joined JD(U) while holding the position of RJD national general secretary.
Upon joining JD(U), Rajak quickly became one of Nitish Kumar’s close associates and was inducted into the cabinet. He served as a minister in the governments of Rabri Devi, Nitish Kumar, and Jitan Ram Manjhi, holding various important portfolios over a span of 14 years.
In 2019, Rajak left JD(U) and returned to RJD after his relationship with Nitish Kumar soured. Although he was made general secretary in RJD, he was not given a ticket to contest from Phulwari Sharif, leading to his dissatisfaction since 2020. Recently, Rajak announced his decision to leave the RJD, targeting Lalu Prasad Yadav in his statements. He has now rejoined JD(U) for the second time.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui
Rajak has reportedly met with Nitish Kumar, and after receiving his assurance, decided to start a new chapter with JD(U). Rajak has expressed his intent to contest the upcoming elections from Phulwari Sharif, stating that the people there want him to run.
Shyam Rajak began his political career during the 1974 movement and became an RJD MLA from Phulwari Sharif in 1995. He continuously contested elections from Phulwari Sharif until 2015, becoming an MLA six times. After joining JD(U) in 2009, he left the party in 2019 and returned to RJD, only to leave once again in 2024 and rejoin JD(U).
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui
During his political career, Rajak has held several key positions, including Minister of State for Energy, Public Relations Department, and Law in the RJD government led by Rabri Devi. He served as Food and Consumer Protection Minister from the JD(U) quota between 2010 and 2015 and was later made Industry Minister in the Mahagathbandhan government. Additionally, Rajak has been the whip of the main opposition party in the Bihar Legislative Assembly and has served as the National President of the All India Dhobi Mahasangh.
Rajak, a prominent figure from the Dhobi community in Bihar, is recognised as a significant Dalit leader. With no current MP or MLA from the Dhobi community in Bihar, except for RJD’s MLC Munni Devi, Nitish Kumar is likely aiming to send a message of inclusion by bringing Rajak back into the fold. Rajak’s comeback was marked by a grand event organised by JD(U), and he is set to contest the assembly elections from Phulwari Sharif in 2025.
