Lalu Prasad Yadav is an Indian politician and the former Chief Minister of the Indian state of Bihar. He is the President of the political party named Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). From 2004 to 2009, Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Minister of the Indian Railways under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in New Delhi. He was elected as the Member of the Parliament in the 15th Lok Sabha from Saran constituency in Bihar. Lalu Prasad Yadav was appointed as a member of the Lok Sabha in the year 1977 as a Janata party candidate. He became one of the youngest Members of Indian Parliament at the age of 29. The popularity of this Indian politician lies in his ability to connect with the masses. Yadav has condemned for his caste-based politics and the various corruption cases which are filed against him.

Early Life of Lalu Prasad Yadav
Lalu Prasad Yadav was born on 11th June, 1948 in Phulwaria, Gopalganj district of Bihar to the parents Kalu Prasad Yadav and Marchi Devi. In his early years, Yadav, studied from Bihar Military Police No-5 middle school. Later, he completed his Bachelor`s degree in Law (LLB) and a Masters in Political Science from B. N. College, Patna University. He was inclined towards politics since his college days.

Political Career of Lalu Prasad Yadav
Lalu Prasad Yadav`s political career began with his involvement in the elections of the Patna University Students Union. He led the student movement inspired by Jayaprakash Narayan in the 1970s. The former Chief Minister of Bihar and the then President of Bihar State Janata Party, senior leader Satyendra Narayan Sinha placed him as a candidate for Lok Sabha and campaigned for him.

At 29 years of age, Yadav was elected as the member of the 6th Lok Sabha on a Janata Party ticket and became one of the youngest members to be elected to the Indian Parliament. In the next ten years he became a formidable force in State politics of Bihar. In the General election and State Assembly election in 1989, he successfully led the National Front Coalition in Bihar. Lalu Prasad Yadav served as the Chief Minister of Bihar from 1990 to 1997 but his rule was interrupted following the escalating corruption charges in the Fodder scam. He formed the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in 1997, after breaking away from the Janata Dal.

In a span of 10 years, Lalu Prasad Yadav became an important person in Bihar State Politics. He successfully led the National Front coalition in Bihar during the Indian general elections in 1989 and state assembly elections. He was thus elected as the Chief Minister in the 1990 Assembly elections. The World Bank praised his party for its work in the 1990s on the economic front.

Lalu Prasad Yadav as Indian Railway Minister
Lalu Prasad Yadav was elected to the 14th Lok Sabha from Chhapra and Madhepura constituency of Bihar. He was consequently made the Railway Minister. Later he gave up the Madhepura seat. As a Railway Minister he had been successful and won several accolades for his performance. He banned the use of plastic cups for serving tea railway stations and announced that they would be replaced by Kulhads (earthen cups) and this had been seen as a major achievement.

Lalu Prasad Yadav was able change the Indian Railways from a loss making organisation to a profit making organisation. The Indian Railways under his stewardship is said to have made a profit of 14,000 crores with decreased freight and unchanged passenger fares in 2006. This method of managing an organisation caught the attention of Universities like Harvard and Wharton, where, he was invited to give lectures to the students. The turnaround of the Indian Railways is now being studied by the students of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

Positions held by Lalu Prasad Yadav-
* 1977: Elected to the 6th Lok Sabha at the age of 29.
* 1980-1989: Member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly (two terms).
* 1989: Leader of Opposition, Bihar Legislative Assembly, Chairman, Pustakalaya Committee, Convenor, Committee on Public Undertakings, Re-elected to the 9th Lok Sabha.
* 1990-1995: Member of the Bihar Legislative Council.
* 1990-1997: Chief Minister of Bihar.
* 1995-1998: Member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
* 1998: Re-elected to 12th Lok Sabha (3rd term).
* 1998-1999: Member, General Purposes Committee, Committee on Home Affairs and its Sub Committee on Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
* 2004: Re-elected to the 14th Lok Sabha (4th term); Appointed Cabinet Minister in the Ministry of Railways. In 2004, he was elected to the Lok Sabha with his party emerging as a key member of the UPA.
* 2009: Re-elected to the 15th Lok Sabha (5th term).

Personal Life of Lalu Prasad Yadav
On June 1st, 1973, Lalu Prasad Yadav married Rabri Devi and the couple has 2 sons and 7 daughters. His popularity is such that numerous books have been written in dedication to him, like Lalu Hala and Lalu Chalisa.

A Hindi film named, Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav, which released in 2004, was made by filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar and featured the politician in a special cameo.