Bihar Politics 2025: Don’s Daughter Joins RJD Battle In 7-Key Constituencies, Vows To Revive Party’s Lost Legacy Ahead Of Elections
In a dramatic 2025 Bihar election twist, a don’s daughter joins RJD, taking charge in 7 key constituencies to revive the party’s legacy and strengthen its power base
LALGANJ(BIHAR): In the run-up to the Bihar state Assembly elections, a fascinating battle is unfolding in Lalganj, which is distant just 39 kilometres from the state capital of Patna. Here, RJD’s Shivani Shukla—a 28-year-old law graduate from the University of Leeds, UK—is taking on a 57-year-old commerce graduate and BJP MLA, Sanjay Kumar Singh.
The contest between Shivani Shukla and Singh has caught the public imagination. While she affectionately calls him ‘Chacha’, he refers to her as ‘Bhatiji’, though neither leaves a stone unturned in their bid to win the seat.
Lalganj’s electoral battle has turned into a contest that locals describe as one between Parashuram Vanshi-RJD candidate, being supported by Yaduvanshi, and Raghuvanshi- BJP candidate lineages.Shivani, daughter of the jailed former strongman Vijay Kumar Shukla, alias Munna Shukla, is contesting as one of the RJD’s young female candidates.
Hailed by her supporters as the “daughter” of Lalganj, and descendant of Parashuram, Shivani hails from the influential Bhumihar community. Her campaign has already drawn the support of young voters across caste lines, including among Yadavs.
Her rival, Singh, a Rajput and called a Raghuvanshi, seeks votes by stressing his experience and continuity. His recently remark “She is still a kid in politics,” has intensified the battle between both the party supporters.
“I have not brought the ticket from RJD, it’s the people of Lalganj who have brought it, and they are contesting. I am just their representative,” Shivani Shukla told a cheering crowd.
In a dramatic turn of events ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, the daughter of a well-known don has officially joined the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), setting the stage for an intense political battle. Her entry into politics has sparked widespread discussion across the state, as she vows to carry forward her father’s legacy and strengthen RJD’s grassroots connect in seven key constituencies.
The young political debutante, known for her articulate speeches and firm stance on social justice, represents a new generation of leaders emerging from Bihar’s deeply entrenched political families. Her late father, once a feared don-turned-local strongman, wielded significant influence in the region for decades. While his name was associated with power and controversy, his daughter seeks to redefine that legacy through democratic means and align it with RJD’s mission of empowering the poor and marginalized.
Speaking to reporters after joining the party at RJD’s headquarters in Patna, she said, “My father fought for the people in his own way. I want to continue his mission through the right path—by serving the people through politics.”
Her induction was welcomed by Tejashwi Yadav, the RJD leader and former Deputy Chief Minister, who praised her courage and leadership potential. “She represents the voice of a new Bihar—bold, fearless, and determined to bring real change,” he said.
RJD’s decision to induct the don’s daughter is seen as a strategic step aimed at consolidating voter bases in districts where her family retains significant influence. Party insiders believe that her local popularity and emotional connect with the people could translate into electoral gains for the party in the upcoming polls.
According to sources, she will lead campaign activities in seven key constituencies spread across Gopalganj, Siwan, and Saran districts—regions historically influenced by her father’s network. Analysts suggest that her entry could tilt the balance in RJD’s favor in close contests against the Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The announcement has triggered mixed reactions. Supporters have hailed her as a symbol of change and female empowerment, while critics accuse RJD of promoting dynastic and muscle-based politics. Social media has been flooded with debates, memes, and campaign slogans featuring her confident images from public rallies.
“She is educated, aware, and ready to lead. We see in her the same courage her father had, but with a modern vision,” said a local RJD worker from Siwan.
However, opposition parties have raised questions about RJD’s candidate selection strategy, arguing that Bihar needs leaders with clean records and not those from controversial backgrounds.
Political observers see her entry as part of a larger trend in Indian politics, where the children of former dons, film stars, or local power brokers are seeking to transform their family image through public service and electoral legitimacy.
As Bihar gears up for another heated election season, her story has added a dramatic twist to the political narrative—mixing legacy, redemption, and ambition.
