Daroga Prasad Rai
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Early life
Family background
Daroga Prasad Rai was born in 1922 in a Yadav family from Saran district, Bihar. The Yadavs are traditionally a farming and cattle-herding community, and Rai’s upbringing reflected the rural social dynamics and grassroots aspirations vital to Bihar’s democracy. His background as a member of the OBC (Other Backward Classes) would later shape his political lens.lifehist+1
==Education== Rai received his schooling locally in Saran district, focusing on primary and secondary studies in his village. He went on to higher education, and, being from a modest background, was known for his emphasis on education and social advancement for the disadvantaged.yadavhistory
Entry into Public Life
Daroga Prasad Rai's first foray into politics began with his association with Congress during the freedom movement years. His reputation was built on grassroots activism, mobilizing the rural poor and backward sections for organizational campaigns and social justice programs.lifehist+1
Political career and rise
Rai was first elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1952 from the Parsa constituency as a Congress candidate. He developed strong linkages with his constituency, returning to the Assembly in subsequent elections: in 1957, 1962, 1967, 1969, and 1972. Even during the anti-Congress wave of 1967, Rai retained mass support.lifehist
He held several significant posts in state government, including as Minister for Home Affairs and local bodies. Throughout his career, Rai was known as an able administrator with a reputation for being decisive and pragmatic, valuing coalition-building and inclusive politics.yadavhistory
Chief Minister of Bihar: 1970
Daroga Prasad Rai became Bihar’s 10th Chief Minister on February 16, 1970. He was the first to lead a government formed by the Indira Gandhi-led Congress (Requisition, later Congress (I)) faction after the party split in 1969.yadavhistory+1
His coalition government included Congress (R), a breakaway PSP, the Communist Party of India, Shoshit Dal, Hul Jharkhand, and the Bharatiya Kranti Dal. He later brought in additional support through LCD (Loktantrik Congress Dal), displaying political flexibility and willingness to work across party lines.yadavhistory
Rai’s 10-month tenure was marked by rapid cabinet expansion (six reshuffles) designed to keep diverse partners accommodated—a testament to the challenges of coalition politics in Bihar in the 1970s. He advanced policies of rural development, OBC inclusion, efforts to curb corruption, and attempts at land reforms.
Downfall and coalition politics
Despite attempts at consensus, coalition instability persisted. Tensions within the alliance surfaced around allocation of ministries and policy priorities. Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav and Lalit Narayan Mishra emerged as powerful rivals, eventually supporting a change in leadership.lifehist
A motion of no confidence was moved against Rai’s government in December 1970 by Ramanand Tewari of the Samyukta Socialist Party. Following intense debate and some MLAs switching sides, the no-confidence vote was carried (164–146) and Rai resigned on December 18, 1970, ending his tenure.lifehist+1
Later career, legacy, and family
Rai remained a prominent Congress leader in state politics, returning to the Assembly in 1980 after losing the 1977 post-Emergency election. He was also known for his role in rural development and education. Rai died in April 1981, leaving behind a significant political family: his son Chandrika Rai later served as RJD minister; Chandrika’s daughter Aishwarya married Tej Pratap Yadav, son of ex-CM Lalu Prasad Yadav.yadavhistory+1
His political legacy is marked by attempts to build stable coalitions and advance backward class empowerment, despite the volatile politics of Bihar during his era.lifehist+1
