Pappu Yadav

{{Infobox officeholder

| birth_name = Rajesh Ranjan

| image = File:The Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Shri Rajesh Ranjan (Pappu Yadav) meeting the Union Minister for Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, in New Delhi on March 22, 2016 (cropped).jpg

| caption =

| office = Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha

| termstart = 4 June 2024

| predecessor = Santosh Kumar Kushwaha

| constituency = Purnia

| term_start1 = 16 May 2014

| term_end1 = 23 May 2019

| predecessor1 = Sharad Yadav

| successor1 = Dinesh Chandra Yadav

| constituency1 = Madhepura

| term_start2 = 2004

| term_end2 = 2009

| predecessor2 = Lalu Prasad Yadav

| successor2 = Sharad Yadav

| constituency2 = Madhepura

| term_start3 = 1999

| term_end3 = 2004

| predecessor3 = Jai Krishna Mandal

| successor3 = Uday Singh

| constituency3 = Purnea

| term_start4 = 1991

| term_end4 = 1998

| predecessor4 = Mohammed Taslimuddin

| successor4 = Jai Krishna Mandal

| constituency4 = Purnea

| office5 = Member of Bihar Legislative Assembly

| term5 =

| party = 20px Indian National Congress
{{small|(2024-Incumbent)}}

| otherparty = Independent(2024-2024),{{unbulleted list|Jan Adhikar Party (Loktantrik)|(2015 – 2024)|Rashtriya Janata Dal| (1991 – 2015)}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|12|24|df=y}}

| birth_place = Khurda, Bihar, India

| spouse = Ranjeet Ranjan (INC)

| children = {{unbulleted list|Sarthak Ranjan|Prakriti Ranjan}}

| residence = AB-7, Pandara Road, Delhi NCT of Delhi, 110001

| office6 = President of Jan Adhikar Party (Loktantrik)

| term6 = 9 May 2015 – 20 March 2024

| constituency5 = Singheshwar

| termstart5 = 1990

| termend5 = 1991

| predecessor5 = Ramendra Kumar Yadav

| successor5 = Bam Bhola Yadav

| education = Bachelor of Arts (B N Mandal University)

| successor6 = Position abolished

| image_size = 200

}}

Rajesh Ranjan (born 24 December 1967) popularly known as Pappu Yadav, is an Indian politician from Bihar, and a member of Parliament (MP) representing Purnia constituency in Bihar.[http://www.ndtv.com/elections/article/election-2014/pappu-yadav-returns-to-rjd-gets-ticket-from-bihar-s-madhepura-494033 Pappu Yadav returns to RJD, gets ticket from Bihar's Madhepura]. Ndtv.com (11 March 2014). Retrieved on 2015-07-28.{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/bihar/ditched-by-the-bjp-pappu-yadav-goes-the-samajwadi-party-way-1219453|title=Ditched by the BJP, Pappu Yadav Goes the Samajwadi Party Way}}

Emerging from a background linked to crime, Yadav transitioned into politics in the 1990s. He has been elected to the Lok Sabha in 1991, 1996, 1999, 2004, 2014 and 2024, representing various constituencies in Bihar either independently or under different party banners including the Samajwadi Party, Lok Janshakti Party, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), but his electoral success has been largely independent of party affiliations.

In the 2015 Bihar elections he formed his own party, Jan Adhikar Party (Loktantrik){{cite news |date=10 June 2015 |title=Purnea MP Pappu Yadav forms new Jan Adhikar Party with Brajesh Sah as Pradesh Mahasachiv |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/purnea-mp-pappu-yadav-forms-new-jan-adhikar-party/articleshow/47607001.cms |newspaper=The Economic Times}} but failed to make any impact and could barely capture any votes.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar2015/owaisi-pappu-yadav-fail-to-make-impact/article7858679.ece|title=Owaisi, Pappu Yadav fail to make impact|date=2015-11-09|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-04-25}} On 20 March 2024, he merged his party with the Indian National Congress (INC).{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pappu-yadav-merges-jan-adhikar-party-with-congress-ahead-of-elections-101710929830979-amp.html|title=Pappu Yadav merges Jan Adhikar Party with Congress ahead of elections|date=2024-03-20|language=en-IN}}

Early life

Pappu Yadav was born on 24 December 1967 in a landowning family in Khurda Karveli village (Kumarkhand block), Madhepura district, Bihar. He studied in Anand Marg School at Anand Palli, Supaul. He completed graduation in political science from B. N. Mandal University, Madhepura and a diploma in disaster management and human rights from IGNOU.{{cite web|url= https://www.jagran.com/bihar/patna-city-pappu-yadav-qualification-know-his-degree-and-subjects-purnia-lok-sabha-seat-23690924.html|title=Pappu Yadav: कितने पढ़े-लिखे हैं पप्पू यादव, जानिए उनकी डिग्री से लेकर क्वालिफिकेशन तक, संपत्ति में भी काफी आगे |website=Dainik Jagran|access-date=11 September 2024}}

Rajesh Ranjan is his official name but nickname Pappu was given by his grandfather in childhood. He is married to Ranjeet Ranjan. She was also an MP from Madhepura but lost to Janata Dal (United) (JDU) in 2019 general election. His son Sarthak Ranjan, is a T-20 cricket player for Delhi.{{Cite web |last=ankur.shukla |title=मम्मी-पापा से बिल्कुल अलग है इस लड़के की कहानी, राजनीति नहीं क्रिकेट की दुनिया में करना चाहता है करिश्मा |url=https://hindi.asianetnews.com/gallery/bihar-election/bihar-election-story-of-cricketer-sarthak-ranjan-son-of-pappu-yadav-and-ranjita-ranjan-asa-qisuio |access-date=2021-09-20 |website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |language=hi}}{{Cite web |title=Sarthak Ranjan |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/956405.html |access-date=10 January 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}

Yadav's entry into the criminal world was facilitated by his maternal uncle, Arjun Singh, a dominant figure in his district, who used to run a parallel government in the area. Yadav succeeded Singh in his operations and founded the youth organization Yuva Shakti, which allegedly engaged in criminal activities under his leadership.{{Cite web |date=2015-10-12 |title=The gangs of Purnea: The journey of gangsters from intimidation to elections |url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/the-gangs-of-purnea-the-journey-of-gangsters-from-intimidation-to-election-2465124.html |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}}

Politics

Yadav's political journey began with his independent win in the Singheshwar constituency in the 1990 Bihar Legislative Assembly election. He soon garnered the attention of prominent politicians, including RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. In the 1991 Indian general election, Yadav won the Purnia Lok Sabha constituency with a significant margin, solidifying his influence in the Kosi region.

In 2008, Yadav was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, which disqualified him from fighting future elections.

= 2009 Lok Sabha election=

File:The Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Shri Rajesh Ranjan (Pappu Yadav) meeting the Union Minister for Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, in New Delhi on March 22, 2016.jpg]]

On 2 April 2009, the Patna High Court rejected Yadav's plea to be allowed to contest the 2009 Indian parliamentary elections because he had been convicted of murder. On 11 April, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav expelled Pappu Yadav from the party. His mother Shanti Priya fought elections in his place, she lost to Uday Singh of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

= 2010 Bihar election =

During 2010 Bihar Legislative Assembly election, Pappu Yadav along with Anil Yadav and Rampravesh Rai were expelled from the RJD for alleged anti-party activity. They were charged with working against the party's official nominee for Fatuha Assembly constituency, Ramanand Yadav.

= 2014 Lok Sabha election =

Yadav was acquitted of murder and subsequently fought in the 2014 general elections.

Pappu Yadav defeated JD(U)'S Sharad Yadav and become an MP for the fifth time.{{Cite web |date=2014-05-16 |title=BJP wipes out Nitish's JDU in Bihar, Sharad Yadav humbled |url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/bjp-wipes-out-nitishs-jdu-in-bihar-sharad-yadav-humbled-1527253.html |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}} His wife, Ranjeet Ranjan was also elected from Supaul from Congress. Pappu Yadav became one of the 'best performing' MPs from Bihar in 2015 for his attendance and participation in debates.{{Cite web |date=2015-03-22 |title=Pappu Yadav, once accused of murder, now among 'best performing' MPs in Lok Sabha |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pappu-yadav-once-accused-of-murder-now-among-best-performing-mps/article1-1329193.aspx |access-date=2024-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322091201/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pappu-yadav-once-accused-of-murder-now-among-best-performing-mps/article1-1329193.aspx |archive-date=22 March 2015 }}

= 2015 Bihar election =

On 7 May 2015, the RJD expelled him due to anti-party activities, after which he founded a new party Jan Adhikar Party (Loktantrik).[http://zeenews.india.com/news/bihar/madhepura-mp-pappu-yadav-expelled-from-rjd-may-join-hands-with-bjp_1591527.html Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav expelled from RJD, may join hands with BJP | Zee News]. Zeenews.india.com (7 May 2015). Retrieved on 2015-07-28.

Pappu Yadav floated the new party just before the 2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly election.[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Expelled-RJD-MP-Pappu-Yadav-floats-new-party/articleshow/47319368.cms Expelled RJD MP Pappu Yadav floats new party – The Times of India]. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (17 May 2015). Retrieved on 2015-07-28.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150610223844/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pappu-yadav-could-win-over-disgruntled-lalu-supporters-in-bihar/article1-1357284.aspx Pappu Yadav could win over disgruntled Lalu supporters in Bihar]. Hindustantimes.com (11 June 2015). Retrieved on 2015-07-28.[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bihar2025-campaign-stunt-pappu-yadav/article7303500.ece Bihar@2025 campaign stunt: Pappu Yadav]. The Hindu (11 June 2015). Retrieved on 2015-07-28.[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bihar2025-campaign-political-stunt-ec-should-stop-it-pappu-yadav/articleshow/47618675.cms Bihar@2025 campaign political stunt, EC should stop it: Pappu Yadav – The Economic Times]. Economictimes.indiatimes.com (10 June 2015). Retrieved on 2015-07-28.[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/politics/pappu-yadav-launches-new-party/article7298822.ece Pappu Yadav launches new party | Business Line]. Thehindubusinessline.com (9 June 2015). Retrieved on 2015-07-28. He campaigned against the Nitish-Lalu alliance.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150702062547/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150629/jsp/bihar/story_28356.jsp#.VZGCpIuUdyz Yadavs join hands to fight in unison]. Telegraphindia.com (29 June 2015). Retrieved on 2015-07-28. His party fought on 64 seats as part of Socialist Secular Morcha to form a third front in but failed to win any seats in the 16th Bihar Assembly.{{cite news |date=19 September 2015 |title=Samajwadi Party teams up with Pappu Yadav, NCP, 3 others to form third front |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/samajwadi-party-teams-up-with-pappu-yadav-ncp-3-others-to-form-third-front/articleshow/49028112.cms |newspaper=The Economic Times}}

= 2019 Lok Sabha election =

Pappu Yadav suffered a defeat in 2019 when he contested from his own party from Madhepura constituency but came third behind Dinesh Chandra Yadav and Sharad Yadav. His wife lost her seat to Dileshwar Kamait after contesting from Congress.{{cite news |date=18 May 2013 |title='Supreme Court will be moved against Pappu Yadav's acquittal' |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/supreme-court-will-be-moved-against-pappu-yadavs-acquittal/article4727692.ece |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India}}

=2020 Bihar election=

In September 2020, prior to the Bihar Assembly elections, Yadav floated a new alliance called People Democratic Alliance which contained parties like Bahujan Mukti Party and Social Democratic Party of India, Indian Union Muslim League along with Azad Samaj Party, the party of Dalit activist and president of Bhim Army, Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan.{{cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/bihar-assembly-election-2020-pappu-yadav-forms-poll-alliance-with-chandrasekhar-azad-to-take-on-ruling-nda-2313151.html|title=Bihar Assembly election 2020: Pappu Yadav forms poll alliance with Chandrasekhar Azad to take on ruling NDA|website=Zee News|access-date=2020-09-30}}

= 2024 Lok Sabha election =

Pappu Yadav, who contested the Purnia Lok Sabha seat in Bihar as an independent candidate, won the seat by a margin of over 23,000 votes. He defeated JDU candidate Santosh Kushwaha and RJD candidate Bima Bharti.{{Cite web |last=PTI |title=Lok Sabha Elections 2024 {{!}} Independent Pappu Yadav wins Purnia in Bihar |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/india/lok-sabha-elections-2024-independent-pappu-yadav-wins-purnia-in-bihar-3052558 |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Roushan |first=Anurag |date=2024-06-04 |title=Purnia Election Results 2024: Pappu Yadav wins against JDU's Santosh Kumar |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/bihar/news-purnia-lok-sabha-election-result-2024-jdu-santosh-kumar-kushwaha-rjd-bima-bharti-pappu-yadav-vote-counting-winning-losing-candidates-latest-updates-2024-06-04-934160 |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=www.indiatvnews.com |language=en}}

Positions held

Pappu Yadav was elected as MP, four times from the Purnia and twice from Madhepura constituency.

class="wikitable sortable"

! # !! From !! To !! Position

!Constituency!! Party

| 1990

| 1991

| MLA (1st term)

|Singheshwar

| Independent

| 1991

| 1996

| MP (1st term) in 10th Lok Sabha (by-poll)

|Purnia

| Independent

| 1996

| 1998

| MP (2nd term) in 11th Lok Sabha

|Purnia

| SP

| 1999

| 2004

| MP (3rd term) in 13th Lok Sabha

|Purnia

| Independent

| 2004

| 2009

| MP (4th term) in 14th Lok Sabha (by-poll)

|Madhepura

| RJD

| 2014

| 2019

| MP (5th term) in 16th Lok Sabha

|Madhepura

| RJD

| 2024

| 2029

| MP (6th term) in 18th Lok Sabha

|Purnia

| Independent

Controversies

Yadav was allegedly involved in aiding Kim Davy, the prime accused in the Purulia arms drop case, in evading Indian authorities in 1995 during his tenure as an independent MP.{{cite news |date=29 April 2011 |title=Delhi okayed and done by Purulia arms drop: Davy |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Delhi-okayed-Purulia-arms-drop-Davy/articleshow/8113799.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103204520/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-29/kolkata/29486692_1_arms-drop-kim-davy-purulia |archive-date=3 January 2013 |work=The Times of India}}

In 2008, Pappu Yadav was convicted by a special court in Ajit Sarkar murder case of 1998 and sentenced to life imprisonment.{{Cite magazine |date=February 14, 2008 |title=Pappu Yadav gets life term in Ajit Sarkar murder case |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/pappu-yadav-gets-life-term-in-ajit-sarkar-murder-case-22866-2008-02-14 |access-date=2018-12-30 |magazine=India Today |language=en |agency=}} He was involved in various controversies while in imprisonment, like holding audiences and having unrestricted access to cellphones. He was acquitted in 2013 by the Patna High Court. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed an appeal challenging his arrest in the Supreme Court.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/bihar/purnea-misses-chalk-cheese-residents-recollect-war-between-ajit-sarkar-pappu-yadav/cid/189898|title=Purnea misses chalk & cheese - Residents recollect war between Ajit Sarkar & Pappu Yadav|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=2018-12-30}}{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pappu-yadav-acquitted-in-ajit-sarkar-murder-case/articleshow/20107564.cms|title=Pappu Yadav acquitted in Ajit Sarkar murder case|date=2013-05-17|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2018-12-30}}

In his autobiography Drohkaal ka Pathik, released in November 2013, Pappu Yadav has alleged that three MPs of Indian Federal Democratic Party got money from the then finance minister Yashwant Sinha, to join the NDA in 2001. He has also claimed that during the July 2008 trust vote, both the Congress and BJP had offered "Rs 40 crore each" to MPs for their support.[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pappu-s-memoirs-payoffs-from-upa---nda/1200046/ Pappu Yadav in memoir: Both Cong, BJP offered MPs Rs 40 crore each]. Indian Express (27 November 2013). Retrieved on 2015-07-28.

In 2015 he was once again in controversy after being reported to have allegedly threatened to hit a Jet Airways airhostess with slippers.{{Cite web |title=Bihar Lawmaker Pappu Yadav Allegedly Threatened to Hit Airhostess With Slippers |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bihar-lawmaker-pappu-yadav-allegedly-threatened-to-hit-airhostess-with-slippers-772461 |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=NDTV.com}}

In June 2020, Pappu Yadav and his supporters defaced advertisements and billboards of Chinese companies on the streets of Patna, after the Galwan clash.{{cite news |title=Bihar: Pappu Yadav blackens billboards with Chinese ads |newspaper=The Times of India |date=18 June 2020 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/patna/bihar-pappu-yadav-blackens-billboards-with-chinese-ads/articleshow/76451159.cms}}

In May 2021, Pappu Yadav was arrested in a 32 year old kidnapping case and for flouting COVID-19 norms. Pappu Yadav has alleged political vendetta as he was raising questions against government expenditures in ambulance management during COVID-19.[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/ex-mp-pappu-yadav-arrested-in-32-yr-old-kidnapping-case/articleshow/82557627.cms Ex-MP Pappu Yadav arrested in 32-yr-old kidnapping case]. Times of India (12 May 2021)| Retrieved on 1 July 2021

As per 2019 election affidavit, Pappu Yadav has 31 pending cases against him.{{Cite web |title=Asset and declared cases comparison:Rajesh Ranjan Alias Pappu Yadav |url=https://www.myneta.info/compare_profile.php?group_id=RFZ4UP8dGBaoopoYWyq |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=www.myneta.info}} This number shot up to 41 in 2024.

On 12 April 2023, he was convicted under Section 147 and 353 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) a special MP/MLA court in Patna. On 24 November 2023, he was convicted under IPC Section 414 by the same court. Yadav has filed an appeal for both the cases.{{Cite web |title=Rajesh Ranjan Alias Pappu Yadav(Independent(IND)):Constituency- PURNIA(BIHAR) - Affidavit Information of Candidate |url=https://www.myneta.info/LokSabha2024/candidate.php?candidate_id=2710 |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=www.myneta.info}}