Lagatar24 Desk
Patna: The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) suffered another setback as former MP and ex-minister Vijay Krishna resigned from the party on Wednesday. Once known for defeating Nitish Kumar from the Barh Lok Sabha seat, the veteran leader sent a letter to Lalu Prasad Yadav announcing his resignation from the party’s primary membership and all positions, stating that he now wishes to withdraw from active politics.
Vijay Krishna Steps Away After Decades in Politics
In his resignation letter, Vijay Krishna wrote that he has decided to distance himself from party-based and active political life. He requested that his resignation be accepted.
A product of the JP movement, Krishna was once counted among Nitish Kumar’s closest associates. Their villages were located near each other, and their political journeys initially ran parallel. However, when Nitish parted ways with Lalu Prasad, Vijay Krishna chose to stay with the RJD chief, leading to a widening rift between him and Nitish.
A Rivalry That Defined Barh Constituency Politics
During earlier delimitation, both leaders contested from Barh, bringing several head-to-head battles. Nitish defeated Vijay Krishna in 1999, but in 2004 Krishna won the Barh seat while Nitish secured Nalanda.
Vijay Krishna, known for his loyalty to Lalu Prasad, continued as a key advisor within the RJD for years. He began his political career with the Samajwadi Yuva Sabha, served as Bihar general secretary of the Janata Party in 1977, and later became a two-term MLA from Barh. He also served as a minister in the governments of Rabri Devi and Lalu Prasad.
Conviction, Jail Term, and Eventual Release
Krishna’s career was overshadowed by a 2009 murder case. In 2013, a court sentenced him and three others to life imprisonment. After spending nearly 10 years in jail, he was released by the High Court in 2022.
Though he remained associated with the RJD after his release, he had gradually distanced himself from political activities in recent months.
Complete Exit from Public Life
After a long and eventful political journey marked by significant alliances, electoral battles, ministerial roles, and legal challenges, Vijay Krishna has now formally ended his association with the RJD and announced his retirement from politics.
