Chapra, Bihar – The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is banking on the star power of Khesari Lal Yadav, a popular Bhojpuri actor and former Bigg Boss contestant, to bolster its chances in the Chapra constituency. As the Bihar Assembly elections unfold, all eyes are on this high-stakes battle where Yadav is pitted against the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Chhoti Kumari.
Chapra, a BJP stronghold for two consecutive terms, has become a crucial battleground. The BJP previously held the seat with Dr. C.N. Gupta, who won in both 2015 and 2020. However, this time, the BJP has opted for Chhoti Kumari, aiming to counter any anti-incumbency sentiment. The RJD, in turn, is hoping that Yadav's mass appeal will help them gain an edge in this traditional BJP bastion.
Khesari Lal Yadav, whose real name is Shatrughan Yadav, joined the RJD on October 16, 2025, in the presence of party leader Tejashwi Yadav. Born in Chapra, the 39-year-old actor enjoys immense popularity among the youth in Bihar. His entry into politics is seen as a strategic move by the RJD to attract young voters and strengthen its base in the Saran district. Yadav himself has expressed a deep connection to the RJD and a commitment to serving the people.
Yadav's journey to stardom began after he quit school in class 10 due to his family's financial constraints. He started his career as a theatre artist, singing in Ramayana and Mahabharata performances and learning the Bhojpuri folk dance, Launda Naach. His success as a singer led him to Mumbai, where he debuted in the Bhojpuri film "Sajan Chale Sasural" in 2012. Since then, he has acted in over 100 Bhojpuri and Bollywood movies and recorded over 5000 songs. He also participated in Bigg Boss 13.
However, Yadav's political debut is not without its challenges. Early trends from the vote counting show him trailing behind BJP's Chhoti Kumari. The Chapra seat is a general category constituency and a key component of the Saran Lok Sabha seat. In the 2020 assembly election, BJP's Dr. C.N. Gupta secured 75,710 votes (45.5%), defeating RJD's Randhir Kumar Singh.
Despite trailing in early counts, Yadav's popularity and the RJD's efforts to mobilize their base could still influence the final outcome. His declared assets of Rs 24.81 crore also make him one of the wealthier candidates in the fray. The results of this election will indicate whether Yadav's celebrity status can translate into political success and help the RJD realize its "Dabang Sarkar" dream in Bihar. The final results are expected to be clear by the evening.
