Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is a regional political party in India, primarily influential in the state of Bihar. Founded in 1997 by Lalu Prasad Yadav, it emerged from a split within the Janata Dal and has since positioned itself as a key voice for social justice and secularism in Indian politics.As of 2026, Lalu Prasad Yadav remains party president, with his son Tejashwi Yadav serving as national working president and principal leader in Bihar. The RJD continues to advocate pro-poor and secular policies, sustaining its role as a central actor in Bihar’s political landscape and a symbol of caste-based social empowerment in India
The RJD was established when Lalu Prasad Yadav and several parliamentarians broke away from the Janata Dal to form a party grounded in socialist values inspired by Jayaprakash Narayan. Its central philosophy promotes social equality, economic justice, and protection of minority rights. The party draws much of its support from Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Dalits, and Muslims, advocating an inclusive, secular state.
