Patna: Familyism is not a new issue in Bihar politics. It has long been emerging as a strategy in the war of power. Whenever the leaders faced jail, murder, legal dispute or other political crises, they strengthened their grip by making the family the basis. This trend can be clearly seen from the era of Lalu Prasad Yadav to Bahubali leaders and other political families.

Lalu Prasad Yadav - The beginning of familyism?

After Lalu Prasad Yadav went to jail, he handed over the post of Chief Minister to his wife Rabri Devi. At that time there was a strong debate on familyism, but political analysts believe it was a strategic move. Lalu's children not being active in politics were also a big reason for this decision. Later, when Nitish Kumar was assigned the post of Chief Minister and he was tussed with Jitan Ram Manjhi, Lalu's move was seen as both political compulsion and strategy.

Ram Vilas Paswan and other political families

Ram Vilas Paswan also carried forward the entire family in politics. His brothers Pashupati Paras, Ramchandra Paswan and the next generation leaders Chirag Paswan and Prince Paswan took over the reins of the party. The family's role has also been important in the politics of Bahubali leaders. Former Mokama MLA Anant Singh was replaced by his wife Neelam Devi. Similarly, Rajo Singh's sons and daughters are active in politics.

The political legacy of Ajay and Ajit Singh, sons of Tapeshwar Singh, also increased in this direction. After the death of Ajit Singh, his wife Meena Singh became MP and now his son Vishal Singh is active in politics. Ashok Mahato also postponed his marriage to establish the family in politics so that the wife could get tickets. Similarly, Rajesh Chaudhary's wife Guddi Devi became MLA and now Rajesh himself is preparing for the election.

Family support in jail, lawsuit and absence

Only the members of their family continued to hold political legacy due to the cases of many leaders or other reasons.

• If Ajay Singh could not contest elections, his wife Kavita Singh became an MLA and MP.
• Ramesh Kushwaha was prosecuted, so his wife Vijayalakshmi Kushwaha got a ticket.
• After Shahabuddin's death, his wife Hina Shahab entered politics and now son Osama Shahab is active.
• After the assassination of Butan Singh, his wife Lacey Singh entered politics and is now a minister.
• After the murder of Ajit Sarkar, his wife Madhavi Sarkar moved forward in politics.
• In the absence of Anand Mohan, his wife Lovely Anand became MP.

Father to son, sister to daughter ... expansion of politics

Familyism in politics has now spread in the same way as a son inherit the son after a father in a big company or institution. In almost all the big political families, the scope of politics has been increasing from father to son, sister to daughter.

• Lalu Prasad Yadav's daughter Misa Bharti is a Rajya Sabha MP, while the second daughter Rohini Acharya also contested the Lok Sabha elections.
• Meera Kumar, daughter of former Deputy Prime Minister Jagjivan Ram, has been the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
• Shambhavi Chaudhary, daughter of Congress leader Dr. Ashok Chaudhary, is an MP.
• The daughter of former Union Minister Digvijay Singh and her mother are also in active politics.

Compulsion or strategy?

Political experts say that familism in Bihar is not just a greed or a game of power. The family becomes the only reliable basis for the leaders surrounded by prison, murder, cases and crises. At the same time, the support of the public also gives validity. But its big challenge is that the path of emergence of new leadership is limited.

There are exceptions

In most political families, the tendency is seen to pursue family members, whether they are ability or not. But leaders like Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Lok Morcha have kept distance from familyism. Nevertheless, the network of familyism is getting deeper in Bihar politics.