Rabri Devi: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
VisualWikitext
imported>AnomieBOT
Rescuing orphaned refs ("rediff" from rev 1292501948; "sify" from rev 1292501948)
 
imported>4774அப்செ
No edit summary
 
Line 6: Line 6:
| image_size          =  
| image_size          =  
| caption            = Rabri in 2005
| caption            = Rabri in 2005
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1955|1|1}}
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1959|1|1}}
| birth_place        = [[Gopalganj district, India|Salar Kalan]], [[Bihar]], India
| birth_place        = [[Gopalganj district, India|Salar Kalan]], [[Bihar]], India
| residence          = Hawai Adda, [[Patna]], Bihar, India
| residence          = Hawai Adda, [[Patna]], Bihar, India
Line 13: Line 13:
| office              = [[List of leaders of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council|Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council]]
| office              = [[List of leaders of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council|Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council]]
| term_start          = 14 February 2024
| term_start          = 14 February 2024
| term_end            =  
| leader1          = Nitish Kumar
| predecessor        = [[Hari Sahni]]
| predecessor        = [[Hari Sahni]]
| predecessor1        = ''herself''
| predecessor1        = ''herself''
Line 21: Line 21:
| office6            = [[Bihar Legislative Council|Member of Bihar Legislative Council]]
| office6            = [[Bihar Legislative Council|Member of Bihar Legislative Council]]
| term_start6        = 7 May 2012
| term_start6        = 7 May 2012
| office8            = 18th [[List of leaders of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly|Leader of the Opposition<br/>Bihar Legislative Assembly]]
| office8            = 18th [[List of leaders of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly|Leader of the Opposition<br />Bihar Legislative Assembly]]
| term_start8        = 20 November 2005
| term_start8        = 20 November 2005
| term_end8          = 23 December 2010
| term_end8          = 23 December 2010
Line 42: Line 42:
|otherparty=[[Janata Dal]]
|otherparty=[[Janata Dal]]
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Lalu Prasad Yadav|Lalu Prasad]]|1973}}
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Lalu Prasad Yadav|Lalu Prasad]]|1973}}
| relations          = [[Tej Pratap Singh Yadav]] (son-in-law) <br/>
| relations          = [[Tej Pratap Singh Yadav]] (son-in-law) <br />
Chiranjeev Rao (son-in-law) <br/> [[Sadhu Yadav]] (brother) <br/> [[Subhash Prasad Yadav]] (brother)
Chiranjeev Rao (son-in-law) <br /> [[Sadhu Yadav]] (brother) <br /> [[Subhash Prasad Yadav]] (brother)
| children            = 9 (including [[Tejashwi Yadav|Tejashwi]], [[Tej Pratap Yadav|Tej Pratap]] and [[Misa Bharti]])
| children            = 9 (including [[Tejashwi Yadav|Tejashwi]], [[Tej Pratap Yadav|Tej Pratap]] and [[Misa Bharti]])
| parents            =  
| parents            =  
Line 62: Line 62:
| termend9            = 26 November 2010
| termend9            = 26 November 2010
| predecessor9        = [[Lalu Prasad Yadav|Lalu Prasad]]
| predecessor9        = [[Lalu Prasad Yadav|Lalu Prasad]]
| successor9          = Satish Kumar Yadav
| successor9          = [[Satish Kumar Yadav]]
| constituency6      = ''elected by Legislative assembly members''
| constituency6      = ''elected by Legislative assembly members''
}}
}}


'''Rabri Devi'''<ref name="GE2014">http://ceobihar.nic.in/election/GeneralElection2014/PC20/S04-Bihar-20--May-2014%20(%20GEN%20)-3-RABRI%20DEVI.PDF</ref><ref name="AE2010">https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3285e19f20beded7d215102b49d5c09a0/uploads/2023/05/2023051796.pdf</ref> ([[Devanagri]]: राबड़ी देवी,<ref name="GE2014" /><ref name="AE2010" /> {{IAST3|rābar̤ī devī}} {{IPA|sa|ɾɑːbəɽiː d̪eːʋiː}}) is an Indian politician who formerly served 3 terms as the [[Chief Minister of Bihar|chief minister of Bihar]], the first and only woman till date to have held the office. She is a [[Member of the Legislative Council|Member]] (MLC) of [[Bihar Legislative Council]] and currently serving as the [[List of leaders of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council|leader of the opposition in Bihar Legislative Council]].
'''Rabri Devi'''<ref name="GE2014">http://ceobihar.nic.in/election/GeneralElection2014/PC20/S04-Bihar-20--May-2014%20(%20GEN%20)-3-RABRI%20DEVI.PDF {{Bare URL PDF|date=July 2025}}</ref><ref name="AE2010">https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3285e19f20beded7d215102b49d5c09a0/uploads/2023/05/2023051796.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=July 2025}}</ref> ([[Devanagri]]: राबड़ी देवी,<ref name="GE2014" /><ref name="AE2010" /> {{IAST3|rābar̤ī devī}} {{IPA|sa|ɾɑːbəɽiː d̪eːʋiː}}) is an Indian politician who currently serves as the [[List of leaders of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council|leader of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council]]. She served as the [[Chief Minister of Bihar|chief minister of Bihar]] almost continuously between 1997 to 2005; she is the first and only woman till date to have held the office. She is also served as leader of the house in legislative assembly). She is a [[Member of the Legislative Council|member]] (MLC) of [[Bihar Legislative Council]] and previously served as the [[List of leaders of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly|leader of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly]].


She is married to Indian politician [[Lalu Prasad Yadav|Lalu Prasad]], former [[List of chief ministers of Bihar|chief minister]] of [[Bihar]] (1990–1997). Yadav previously served as a [[Member of the Legislative Assembly|member]] of [[Bihar Legislative Assembly]] (MLA) and she formerly served as the [[List of leaders of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly|leader of the opposition in Bihar Legislative Assembly]].
A member of the [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]], she is married to Indian politician [[Lalu Prasad Yadav]], the former [[List of chief ministers of Bihar|chief minister]] of [[Bihar]] from 1990–1997.


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Rabri was born in 1955<ref>{{cite web |title=Smt. Rabri Devi |url=https://rjd.co.in/smt-rabri-devi/ |website=Rashtriya Janata Dal |publisher=RJD |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref> in Salar Kalan village, located near [[Mirganj, Bihar|Mirganj]] in the [[Gopalganj district, Bihar|Gopalganj district]] of [[Bihar]]. However, she has stated in affidavits submitted for elections that her birth year is as early as 1953.<ref name="GE2014" /><ref name="AE2010" /> Her parents are Sib Prasad Chaudhary<ref name="sify">{{cite news|date=7 February 2005|title=Rabri Devi|newspaper=Hindustan Times|url=http://sify.com/news/internet/fullstory.php?id=13664560|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184612/http://sify.com/news/internet/fullstory.php?id=13664560|archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> and Maharjia Devi. She is named after an [[Rabri|Indian sweet]] as per a custom in her family. Her 3 sisters are similarly named [[Jalebi]], [[Rasgulla]] and [[Paan]].<ref name="gulfnews">{{cite news |last1=Akbar |first1=M. J. |title=M. J. Akbar: Laloo steals Congress seats in Bihar for sweet Rabri |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/m-j-akbar-laloo-steals-congress-seats-in-bihar-for-sweet-rabri-1.319862 |date=19 April 2004 |work=Gulf News }}</ref>
Rabri was born in 1955<ref>{{cite web |title=Smt. Rabri Devi |url=https://rjd.co.in/smt-rabri-devi/ |website=Rashtriya Janata Dal |publisher=RJD |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref> in Salar Kalan village, located near [[Mirganj, Bihar|Mirganj]] in the [[Gopalganj district, Bihar|Gopalganj district]] of [[Bihar]]. However, she has stated in affidavits submitted for elections that her birth year is as early as 1953.<ref name="GE2014" /><ref name="AE2010" /> Her parents are Sib Prasad Chaudhary<ref name="sify">{{cite news|date=7 February 2005|title=Rabri Devi|newspaper=Hindustan Times|url=http://sify.com/news/internet/fullstory.php?id=13664560|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184612/http://sify.com/news/internet/fullstory.php?id=13664560|archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> and Maharjia Devi. She is named after an [[Rabri|Indian sweet]] as per a custom in her family. Her 3 sisters are similarly named [[Jalebi]], [[Rasgulla]] and [[Paan]].<ref name="gulfnews">{{cite news |last1=Akbar |first1=M. J. |title=M. J. Akbar: Laloo steals Congress seats in Bihar for sweet Rabri |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/m-j-akbar-laloo-steals-congress-seats-in-bihar-for-sweet-rabri-1.319862 |date=19 April 2004 |work=Gulf News }}</ref>


She has studied only up to the fifth standard at a local school in her village. Her parents were hesitant to send their daughters to schools located far away, unlike her brothers, who received proper education. As a result, none of her sisters is educated.<ref name="rediff">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/feb/22rabri.htm|title=rediff.com: The Rediff Interview/ Rabri Devi|work=Rediff.com|access-date=2016-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051114141826/http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/feb/22rabri.htm|archive-date=14 November 2005|url-status=live}}</ref> Prabhunath Yadav, [[Subhash Prasad Yadav]] and [[Sadhu Yadav]] are her three real brothers.
She has studied only up to the fifth standard at a local school in her village. Her parents were hesitant to send their daughters to schools located far away. As a result, none of her sisters got any formal education.<ref name="rediff">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/feb/22rabri.htm|title=rediff.com: The Rediff Interview/ Rabri Devi|work=Rediff.com|access-date=2016-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051114141826/http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/feb/22rabri.htm|archive-date=14 November 2005|url-status=live}}</ref> Prabhunath Yadav, [[Subhash Prasad Yadav]] and [[Sadhu Yadav]] are her three brothers.


==Political career==
==Political career==
Rabri Devi became the first female [[Chief Minister of Bihar]] on 25 July 1997, after her husband, Lalu Prasad, was forced to resign following the arrest warrant issued against him in corruption charges relating to the [[Fodder Scam|Fodder scam]] ('<nowiki/>''Chaara Ghotala''', as known locally). She went on to rule the state till 2005 (She was also the last chief minister of Undivided Bihar).<ref name="kitchen">{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dragged-from-the-kitchen-to-bihar-assembly-rabri-devi-learns-politics-fast/1/276449.html|date=1997-08-11|access-date=2017-01-31|work=[[India Today]]|first=Farz|last=Ahmed|title=Dragged from the kitchen to Bihar Assembly, Rabri Devi learns politics fast : Cover Story - India Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327080503/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dragged-from-the-kitchen-to-bihar-assembly-rabri-devi-learns-politics-fast/1/276449.html|archive-date=27 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="proxy">{{cite news|last=Mishra|first=Dipak|date=2017-02-17|title=Proxy rule lessons from Bihar|work=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170219/jsp/frontpage/story_136545.jsp|url-status=dead|access-date=2017-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327165724/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170219/jsp/frontpage/story_136545.jsp|archive-date=27 March 2017}}</ref>
Devi became the first female [[Chief Minister of Bihar]] on 25 July 1997, after her husband, incumbent chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, was forced to resign following the arrest warrant issued against him in corruption charges relating to the [[Fodder Scam|Fodder scam]]. Her appointment as the [[Chief Minister of Bihar|chief minister of Bihar]] is considered one of the most unexpected decisions<ref name="proxy" /> in Indian political history, as she was a traditional housewife and had no prior interest in politics.<ref name="kitchen" /> She came under severe criticism and mockery, due to her [[Literacy|illiteracy]] and inexperience.<ref name="rediff" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3514292.stm|title=Profile: Laloo to the Prasad Yadav|date=2006-12-18|publisher=BBC|access-date=2016-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222090325/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3514292.stm|archive-date=22 February 2007|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/feb/23rabri.htm|title=rediff.com: The Rediff Interview/ Rabri Devi|work=Rediff.com|access-date=2016-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050824081347/http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/feb/23rabri.htm|archive-date=24 August 2005|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
She went on to rule the state until 2005. She was also the last chief minister of undivided Bihar.<ref name="kitchen">{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19970811-dragged-from-the-kitchen-to-bihar-assembly-rabri-devi-learns-politics-fast-831912-1997-08-10|date=1997-08-11|access-date=2017-01-31|work=[[India Today]]|first=Farz|last=Ahmed|title=Dragged from the kitchen to Bihar Assembly, Rabri Devi learns politics fast : Cover Story - India Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327080503/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dragged-from-the-kitchen-to-bihar-assembly-rabri-devi-learns-politics-fast/1/276449.html|archive-date=27 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="proxy">{{cite news|last=Mishra|first=Dipak|date=2017-02-17|title=Proxy rule lessons from Bihar|work=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170219/jsp/frontpage/story_136545.jsp|url-status=dead|access-date=2017-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327165724/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170219/jsp/frontpage/story_136545.jsp|archive-date=27 March 2017}}</ref>  


[[File:Rabri Devi presenting a cheque for Rs. 10 crore on behalf of the State Government to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh for the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, in New Delhi on January 04, 2005.jpg|thumb|Bihar CM Devi presents Rs.10 crore cheque to Prime Minister of the time, [[Manmohan Singh]] for the national relief fund]]
[[File:Rabri Devi presenting a cheque for Rs. 10 crore on behalf of the State Government to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh for the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, in New Delhi on January 04, 2005.jpg|thumb|Bihar CM Devi presents Rs.10 crore cheque to Prime Minister of the time, [[Manmohan Singh]] for the national relief fund]]


Devi was elected thrice to Bihar Vidhan Sabha from [[Raghopur, Vaishali (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Raghopur]] seat. In [[2010 Bihar Legislative Assembly election]], Devi contested from two seats: [[Raghopur, Vaishali (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Raghopur]] and [[Sonpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Sonpur]] assembly seats, but lost both in an election where the [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]] faced defeat, winning only 22 seats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/rjd-mobbed-rabri-devi-loses-both-her-seats/702322|title=RJD Mobbed: Rabri Devi Loses Both Her Seats|access-date=10 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141449/https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/rjd-mobbed-rabri-devi-loses-both-her-seats/702322|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Rabri-loses-in-both-seats/article15714578.ece|title=Rabri loses in both seats|newspaper=The Hindu |date=24 November 2010 }}</ref>
Devi was elected thrice to the Bihar Vidhan Sabha from the [[Raghopur, Vaishali (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Raghopur]] seat. In the [[2010 Bihar Legislative Assembly election]], Devi contested from two seats: [[Raghopur, Vaishali (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Raghopur]] and [[Sonpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Sonpur]], but lost both in an election where the [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]] faced defeat, winning only 22 seats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/rjd-mobbed-rabri-devi-loses-both-her-seats/702322|title=RJD Mobbed: Rabri Devi Loses Both Her Seats|access-date=10 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141449/https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/rjd-mobbed-rabri-devi-loses-both-her-seats/702322|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Rabri-loses-in-both-seats/article15714578.ece|title=Rabri loses in both seats|newspaper=The Hindu |date=24 November 2010 }}</ref>


She contested from [[Saran (Lok Sabha constituency)|Saran]] in [[2014 Indian general election|2014 Lok Sabha election]] but lost to [[Rajiv Pratap Rudy]] of BJP.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/Election-results-2014-JDU-RJD-decimated-in-Bihar/articleshow/35233557.cms|date=2014-05-17|access-date=2014-05-30|work=The Times of India|agency=TNN|first=Aditya|last=Vaibhav|title=Election results 2014: JD(U), RJD decimated in Bihar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520212838/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/Election-results-2014-JDU-RJD-decimated-in-Bihar/articleshow/35233557.cms|archive-date=20 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
She contested from [[Saran (Lok Sabha constituency)|Saran]] in [[2014 Indian general election|2014 Lok Sabha election]] but lost to [[Rajiv Pratap Rudy]] of BJP.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/Election-results-2014-JDU-RJD-decimated-in-Bihar/articleshow/35233557.cms|date=2014-05-17|access-date=2014-05-30|work=The Times of India|agency=TNN|first=Aditya|last=Vaibhav|title=Election results 2014: JD(U), RJD decimated in Bihar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520212838/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/Election-results-2014-JDU-RJD-decimated-in-Bihar/articleshow/35233557.cms|archive-date=20 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>


Rabri Devi was elected unopposed to the Legislative Council.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Rabri Devi were elected unopposed to the Legislative Council |url=https://www.prabhatkhabar.com/state/bihar/patna/bihar-politics-11-candidates-including-nitish-kumar-and-rabri-devi-elected-unopposed-rjs |access-date=27 June 2024 |work=Prabhat Khabar}}</ref>
Devi was elected unopposed to the Legislative Council.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Rabri Devi were elected unopposed to the Legislative Council |url=https://www.prabhatkhabar.com/state/bihar/patna/bihar-politics-11-candidates-including-nitish-kumar-and-rabri-devi-elected-unopposed-rjs |access-date=27 June 2024 |work=Prabhat Khabar}}</ref>
 
==Criticism==
Rabri Devi's appointment as the [[Chief Minister of Bihar|chief minister of Bihar]] is considered one of the most unexpected and awkward decisions<ref name="proxy" /> in Indian political history, as she was a traditional housewife and had no interest nor any prior experience in politics.<ref name="kitchen" /> She came under severe satirical criticism and stiff opposition, because of her [[Literacy|illiteracy]]<ref name="rediff" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3514292.stm|title=Profile: Laloo to the Prasad Yadav|date=2006-12-18|publisher=BBC|access-date=2016-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222090325/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3514292.stm|archive-date=22 February 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> and inexperience.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/feb/23rabri.htm|title=rediff.com: The Rediff Interview/ Rabri Devi|work=Rediff.com|access-date=2016-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050824081347/http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/feb/23rabri.htm|archive-date=24 August 2005|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Personal life and family ==
== Personal life and family ==
{{See also|Political families of Bihar#Lalu Yadav family}}Rabri Devi married [[Lalu Prasad Yadav|Lalu Prasad]] on 1 June 1973 at the age of 14 years,<ref name="sify" /><ref name="rediff" /> in a [[child marriage]], and they went on to have seven daughters and then 2 sons.<ref name="oneindia">{{cite web |title=Rabri Devi: Age, Biography, Education, Husband, Caste, Net Worth & More - Oneindia |url=https://www.oneindia.com/politicians/rabri-devi-32893.html |work=OneIndia |language=en}}</ref><ref name=FamilyUnplanning>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2004/05/08/stories/2004050800031000.htm | title=The durability of Laloo Prasad Yadav | work=[[Business Line]] | date=8 May 2004 | access-date=24 February 2012 | author=Thakurta, Paranjoy Guha | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008033632/http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2004/05/08/stories/2004050800031000.htm | archive-date=8 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://theprint.in/politics/sons-in-bihar-cabinet-daughters-wed-to-mulayam-kin-sprawling-lalu-family-tree-spans-party-lines/1095654/ |title=Sons in Bihar cabinet, daughters wed to Mulayam kin - sprawling Lalu family tree spans party lines |work=The Print |date=24 August 2022 }}</ref><ref name="sify" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-lalu-paid-off-a-debt-to-his-wife-handsomely-1093659|title=Rabri vividly recalls how she had boarded a steamer at Pahleja Ghat in Sonepur (Chapra) to reach the Patna residence soon after her marriage on March 18, 1974 when curfew had been imposed all over the district|access-date=12 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224215207/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-lalu-paid-off-a-debt-to-his-wife-handsomely-1093659|archive-date=24 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140327/jsp/frontpage/story_18124041.jsp|title = A sibling swing at succession|last = Thakur|first = Sankarshan|date = 27 March 2014|journal = The Telegraph|access-date = 2015-01-30|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140614091750/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140327/jsp/frontpage/story_18124041.jsp|archive-date = 14 June 2014|url-status = dead}}</ref> Her husband, [[Lalu Prasad Yadav|Lalu]] also demanded ₹5000 as dowry from her father, which was fulfilled.<ref name="rediff" />
{{See also|Political families of Bihar#Lalu Yadav family}}Rabri Devi married [[Lalu Prasad Yadav|Lalu Prasad]] on 1 June 1973 at the age of 18 years,<ref name="sify" /><ref name="rediff" /> in an [[arranged marriage]]. Together, they have seven daughters and two sons.<ref name="oneindia">{{cite web |title=Rabri Devi: Age, Biography, Education, Husband, Caste, Net Worth & More - Oneindia |url=https://www.oneindia.com/politicians/rabri-devi-32893.html |work=OneIndia |language=en}}</ref><ref name="sify" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-lalu-paid-off-a-debt-to-his-wife-handsomely-1093659|title=Rabri vividly recalls how she had boarded a steamer at Pahleja Ghat in Sonepur (Chapra) to reach the Patna residence soon after her marriage on March 18, 1974 when curfew had been imposed all over the district|access-date=12 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224215207/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-lalu-paid-off-a-debt-to-his-wife-handsomely-1093659|archive-date=24 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140327/jsp/frontpage/story_18124041.jsp|title = A sibling swing at succession|last = Thakur|first = Sankarshan|date = 27 March 2014|journal = The Telegraph|access-date = 2015-01-30|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140614091750/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140327/jsp/frontpage/story_18124041.jsp|archive-date = 14 June 2014|url-status = dead}}</ref> During her wedding, [[Lalu Prasad Yadav|Lalu]] went on to demand an additional ₹5,000 as dowry from her father, which was eventually fulfilled.<ref name="rediff" />
* eldest daughter: [[Misa Bharti]]
* 2nd daughter: Rohini Acharya Yadav
* 3rd daughter: Chanda Yadav
* 4th daughter: Ragini Yadav - married to Rahul Yadav, [[Samajwadi Party]] leader<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/swiss-educated-lalu-s-son-in-law-talks-growth/story-eCdvMxa1WoUYLc9s9BQ6pO.html |title=Lalu's Swiss-educated son-in-law hops on Samajwadi cycle, chants growth mantra |work=Hindustan Times |date=7 February 2017 }}</ref>
* 5th daughter: Hema Yadav
* 6th daughter: Anushka Yadav (Dhannu) - married to [[Chiranjeev Rao]]
* youngest daughter: Raj Lakshmi Yadav - married to [[Tej Pratap Singh Yadav]]
* elder son: [[Tej Pratap Yadav]]
* younger son: [[Tejashwi Yadav]]
 
'''Note:''' Rahul Yadav is son of Jitendra Yadav, former [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council|MLC]] from the [[Samajwadi Party]]. Jitendra is the nephew of former MP [[D. P. Yadav]].


== Positions held ==
== Positions held ==
Line 132: Line 120:
|| [[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]
|| [[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]
|-
|-
| 6. || 2018 || 2024 ||  
| 6. || 2018 || 2024 ||
*[[Member of the Legislative Council (India)|MLC]] (3rd term) in [[Bihar Legislative Council]]
*[[Member of the Legislative Council (India)|MLC]] (3rd term) in [[Bihar Legislative Council]]
*[[List of leaders of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council|Leader of Opposition]] in [[Bihar Legislative Council]] (1st & 2nd term)  
*[[List of leaders of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council|Leader of Opposition]] in [[Bihar Legislative Council]] (1st & 2nd term)<ref name="No surprises in U.P., Bihar Council polls">{{cite news |date=19 April 2018 |title=No surprises in U.P., Bihar Council polls |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/no-surprises-in-up-bihar-council-polls/article23608245.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251125133019/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/no-surprises-in-up-bihar-council-polls/article23608245.ece |archive-date=25 November 2025 |access-date=25 November 2025 |publisher=The Hindu |language=en-IN}}</ref>
|| [[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]
|| [[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]
|-
|-
| 7. || 2024 || Present ||  
| 7. || 2024 || Present ||
*[[Member of the Legislative Council (India)|MLC]] (4th term) in [[Bihar Legislative Council]]  
*[[Member of the Legislative Council (India)|MLC]] (4th term) in [[Bihar Legislative Council]]  
*[[List of leaders of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council|Leader of Opposition]] in [[Bihar Legislative Council]] (3rd term)  
*[[List of leaders of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council|Leader of Opposition]] in [[Bihar Legislative Council]] (3rd term)<ref name="CM Nitish Kumar, RJD leader Rabri Devi among 11 elected unopposed to Bihar Legislative Council">{{cite news |last1= |first1= |date=14 March 2024 |title=CM Nitish Kumar, RJD leader Rabri Devi among 11 elected unopposed to Bihar Legislative Council |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nitish-rabri-among-11-elected-unopposed-to-bihar-legislative-council/article67950467.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251125132709/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nitish-rabri-among-11-elected-unopposed-to-bihar-legislative-council/article67950467.ece |archive-date=25 November 2025 |access-date=25 November 2025 |publisher=The Hindu |language=en-IN}}</ref>
|| [[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]
|| [[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]
|}
|}

Latest revision as of 13:45, 1 December 2025

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".

Rabri Devi[1][2] (Devanagri: राबड़ी देवी,[1][2] Template:IAST3 Script error: No such module "IPA".) is an Indian politician who currently serves as the leader of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council. She served as the chief minister of Bihar almost continuously between 1997 to 2005; she is the first and only woman till date to have held the office. She is also served as leader of the house in legislative assembly). She is a member (MLC) of Bihar Legislative Council and previously served as the leader of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly.

A member of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, she is married to Indian politician Lalu Prasad Yadav, the former chief minister of Bihar from 1990–1997.

Early life and education

Rabri was born in 1955[3] in Salar Kalan village, located near Mirganj in the Gopalganj district of Bihar. However, she has stated in affidavits submitted for elections that her birth year is as early as 1953.[1][2] Her parents are Sib Prasad Chaudhary[4] and Maharjia Devi. She is named after an Indian sweet as per a custom in her family. Her 3 sisters are similarly named Jalebi, Rasgulla and Paan.[5]

She has studied only up to the fifth standard at a local school in her village. Her parents were hesitant to send their daughters to schools located far away. As a result, none of her sisters got any formal education.[6] Prabhunath Yadav, Subhash Prasad Yadav and Sadhu Yadav are her three brothers.

Political career

Devi became the first female Chief Minister of Bihar on 25 July 1997, after her husband, incumbent chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, was forced to resign following the arrest warrant issued against him in corruption charges relating to the Fodder scam. Her appointment as the chief minister of Bihar is considered one of the most unexpected decisions[7] in Indian political history, as she was a traditional housewife and had no prior interest in politics.[8] She came under severe criticism and mockery, due to her illiteracy and inexperience.[6][9][10]

She went on to rule the state until 2005. She was also the last chief minister of undivided Bihar.[8][7]

File:Rabri Devi presenting a cheque for Rs. 10 crore on behalf of the State Government to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh for the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, in New Delhi on January 04, 2005.jpg
Bihar CM Devi presents Rs.10 crore cheque to Prime Minister of the time, Manmohan Singh for the national relief fund

Devi was elected thrice to the Bihar Vidhan Sabha from the Raghopur seat. In the 2010 Bihar Legislative Assembly election, Devi contested from two seats: Raghopur and Sonpur, but lost both in an election where the Rashtriya Janata Dal faced defeat, winning only 22 seats.[11][12]

She contested from Saran in 2014 Lok Sabha election but lost to Rajiv Pratap Rudy of BJP.[13]

Devi was elected unopposed to the Legislative Council.[14]

Personal life and family

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".Rabri Devi married Lalu Prasad on 1 June 1973 at the age of 18 years,[4][6] in an arranged marriage. Together, they have seven daughters and two sons.[15][4][16][17] During her wedding, Lalu went on to demand an additional ₹5,000 as dowry from her father, which was eventually fulfilled.[6]

Positions held

Rabri Devi has been elected 3 times as MLA and 4 times as MLC.

# From To Position Party
1. 1997 2000 RJD
2. 2000 2005 RJD
3. Feb 2005 Oct 2005 RJD
4. 2005 2010 RJD
5. 2012 2018 RJD
6. 2018 2024 RJD
7. 2024 Present RJD

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ a b c http://ceobihar.nic.in/election/GeneralElection2014/PC20/S04-Bihar-20--May-2014%20(%20GEN%20)-3-RABRI%20DEVI.PDF Template:Bare URL PDF
  2. ↑ a b c https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3285e19f20beded7d215102b49d5c09a0/uploads/2023/05/2023051796.pdf Template:Bare URL PDF
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

External links

Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check Chief Minister of Bihar
1997—1999 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check Chief Minister of Bihar
1999—2000 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check Chief Minister of Bihar
2000—2005 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by

Template:Chief Ministers of Bihar Template:Authority control

Retrieved from "http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Rabri_Devi&oldid=4989346"