Bihar Politics: How Raghunath Jha Prevented Ram Sundar Das from Becoming CM in 1990

Patna, Bihar:
On the occasion of his birth anniversary today, 9 January, the life of former Bihar Chief Minister Ram Sundar Das serves as a striking example of how political equations and relationships can shift dramatically in the state’s politics. In 1990, Das was on the verge of becoming Chief Minister again, but Raghunath Jha’s entry in the fray altered the outcome, paving the way for Lalu Prasad Yadav instead.

The 1990 Bihar Assembly Election

The 1990 Bihar Assembly elections resulted in a hung assembly, with no party securing a clear majority. Janata Dal emerged as the largest party with 122 seats, while Congress was reduced to 71 seats. Under these circumstances, the formation of a coalition government was inevitable.

Senior leaders of the time, including Shivanand Tiwari, noted that Lalu Prasad Yadav became Chief Minister largely due to political circumstances rather than personal charisma. Meanwhile, leaders like Nitish Kumar and Sushil Kumar Modi, seasoned from the JP Movement, were considered astute strategists who influenced the outcomes behind the scenes.

The Battle for Legislature Party Leadership

Within Janata Dal, the selection of the legislature party leader was fiercely contested. Senior leaders initially supported Ram Sundar Das, who had previously served as Bihar CM in 1979. Then-Prime Minister VP Singh also backed Das’s candidacy.

However, political maneuvering by Devi Lal—who opposed VP Singh’s influence in Bihar—led him to support Lalu Prasad Yadav instead. Sharad Yadav joined Devi Lal in consolidating MLAs for Lalu. Behind the scenes, Nitish Kumar guided legislators toward supporting Lalu, though Ram Sundar Das remained a strong contender.

The Role of Raghunath Jha

The decisive twist came when Chandrashekhar and his allies entered the fray. They fielded Raghunath Jha for the legislature party leadership, splitting votes among upper-caste legislators. In the final tally:

• Lalu Prasad Yadav – 59 votes
• Ram Sundar Das – 56 votes
• Raghunath Jha – 12 votes

Had Raghunath Jha not contested, Ram Sundar Das would likely have become Chief Minister.

Later Political Journey

Ironically, the same political leaders who had prevented Das from assuming office eventually welcomed him into their fold. After a stint with Chandrashekhar’s Samajwadi Janata Party, Das joined JD(U) in 2008. In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, he contested from Hajipur on Nitish Kumar’s ticket and won, cementing his place in history.

Legacy and Tribute

Ram Sundar Das passed away in 2015 at the age of 94. His death left a deep impression on Nitish Kumar, who visited his residence in Patna’s Kankarbagh area, canceling all Holi celebrations in respect. Nitish described him as a guiding figure and political mentor, reflecting the profound impact Das had on Bihar’s political landscape.

Ram Sundar Das’s life remains a testament to the complexities of political alliances, strategy, and resilience in Bihar politics.