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Shyam Rajak

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Shyam Rajak
Cabinet Minister for Industries, Government of Bihar
In office
2019-2020
Preceded byJai Kumar Singh
Succeeded byRenu Devi
Member Of Bihar Legislative Assembly
In office
1995-2020
Preceded bySanjeev Prasad Tony
Succeeded byGopal Ravidas
ConstituencyPhulwari
Minister of Food & Consumer Protection, Government of Bihar
In office
2010-2015
Preceded byNarendra Singh
Succeeded byMadan Sahni
Personal details
Born (1954-07-22) 22 July 1954 (age 71)
PartyJDU (2009-2020); (September 2024-Present)
Other political
affiliations		RJD (Until 2009; 2020-August 2024)
SpouseAlka Verma

Shyam Rajak is an Indian Leader from Janata Dal (United), previously serving as the Cabinet Minister for Industries in the Government of Bihar under Nitish Kumar. He has previously served as Minister for Food and Consumer Protection from 2010-2015 in the JD(U) Government.[1] In the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election, Rajak won the Phulwarisharif (SC) seat as the JDU candidate, defeating incumbent MLA Gopal Ravidas by 32,657 votes and securing 126,470 votes (49.18%).[2] He has also served as Minister of State for Energy, Public Relations Department and Law in Bihar government in the RJD rule under Rabri Devi.[3][4] He is whip[5] for main opposition party in Bihar legislative Assembly .

Early life and education

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Shyam Rajak was born on 22 July 1954 .[6] He hails from the Sabjibagh area of Patna and completed his Bachelor’s degree in Commerce.[6] His marriage to film maker Vikash Verma's sister Alka Verma, from Mumbai, was a love marriage that faced initial familial resistance due to caste and social norms; the couple had to work through these challenges over seven years before officially tying the knot.[7]

Rajak’s wedding to Alka Verma was widely reported for its luxury and grandeur.[7] Held at The Regent Hotel (Taj Lands End) in Mumbai, the event became one of the most talked-about weddings of the year, blending political prominence with Bollywood glamour.[8] Media outlets described it as a lavish celebration attended by several high-profile personalities, including former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, actors Shah Rukh Khan, Shekhar Suman, Sunil Shetty, Pooja Batra, Jackie Shroff, Aditya Pancholi, Amrita Arora, Sharad Kapoor, and filmmaker Subhash Ghai.[9] The opulent arrangements, star-studded attendance, and festive atmosphere made it stand out as a symbol of luxury and social prestige at the time.

For the first time in the history of Bihar, a scheduled Assembly session was postponed for the wedding of Rajak.[10] The decision was reportedly taken on the request of Vikash Verma, who stated that the wedding date, set by the bride’s family, could not be changed, referring to a remark attributed to Lalu Prasad Yadav that dates fixed by the girl’s side are never altered.[10]

Political career

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Early political engagement

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Rajak began his political journey through student activism and was actively involved in the JP (Jayaprakash Narayan) movement of 1974.[11]

Legislative tenure

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He was first elected as MLA from the Phulwari Sharif constituency (a reserved Dalit seat) in 1995, representing RJD.[11] Rajak went on to secure reelection in 2000, February 2005, and November 2005.[12]

In the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election, Shyam Rajak contested from the Phulwarisharif (SC) constituency on a Janata Dal (United) (JDU) ticket.[13] He defeated the incumbent MLA, Gopal Ravidas of the CPI (ML) Liberation, by a margin of 32,657 votes. Rajak obtained 126,470 votes, corresponding to 49.18% of the total.[14]

Ministerial roles

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Under the RJD government led by Rabri Devi, Rajak served as Minister of State for Energy, Public Relations, and Law.[15] He later switched allegiance to JD(U) in 2009 and within the Nitish Kumar-led government (2010–2015), he held the portfolio of Minister for Food and Consumer Protection.[16][17] Thereafter, he served as Cabinet Minister for Industries from 2019 to 2020.[18] Additionally, in February 2016 he was appointed Deputy Leader of the House in the Bihar Legislative Assembly.[19]

Social engagement

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Rajak has also held the position of National President of the Akhil Bharatiya Dhobi Mahasangh, reflecting his continued engagement with his community and social issues.[20]

References

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  1. ^ "Bihar points lacunae in Food Bill". 13 February 2013.
  2. ^ "Bihar poll results: Shyam Rajak's big win revives JD(U) fortunes in Phulwarisharif". The Times of India. 15 November 2025. Archived from the original on 9 December 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  3. ^ "BSEB snaps supply of power to CIL colonies". The Indian Express. 25 October 1998. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  4. ^ "Matriculate at 7, graduate at 11: Rare feat by ex-minister". The Indian Express. 12 September 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  5. ^ "RJD uproar in Bihar house". Zee News. 25 February 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. ^ a b "Shyam Rajak Latest News, Updates in Hindi | श्याम रजक के समाचार और अपडेट". AajTak (in Hindi). Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  7. ^ a b "शत्रुघ्न सिन्हा की भांजी से इश्क, शाहरुख खान के घर ठहरी बारात...लालू-नीतीश के 'दुलारे' नेता की लव स्टोरी है कमाल". Navbharat Times (in Hindi). Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  8. ^ "जब दोस्त की बहन को दिल दे बैठे RJD के श्याम रजक, शादी में शाहरुख खान भी हुए थे शामिल". Jansatta (in Hindi). 26 October 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  9. ^ "दोस्त की बहन से हो गया प्यार, कुछ ऐसी है इस नेता की LOVE STORY". Bhaskar. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  10. ^ a b Asian Agw, Shayam Rajak Marriage, retrieved 21 November 2025
  11. ^ a b "Who is Shyam Rajak? Lalu Yadav's 'Man Friday' who quit RJD has a history of flip-flops". Moneycontrol. Archived from the original on 30 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  12. ^ "Shyam Rajak: श्याम रजक ने कब-कब मारी पलटी? लालू ने सिखाया था राजनीति का ककहरा; फिर नीतीश के बन गए थे दुलारे - Shyam Rajak Political Journey RJD Lalu Prasad Yadav Nitish Kumar bihar politics". Jagran (in Hindi). Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  13. ^ "2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly Election Results: Phulwari". Election Commission of India. 14 November 2025. Archived from the original on 9 December 2025. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  14. ^ "Phulwari Constituency Election Results 2015 - 2025". The Times of India. 14 November 2025. Archived from the original on 9 December 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  15. ^ डेस्क, एबीपी बिहार (22 August 2024). "कभी इधर कभी उधर- श्याम रजक कब-कब किस-किस पार्टी की वफादारी कबूल की, पढ़ें पूरी लिस्ट". ABP News (in Hindi). Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  16. ^ RJD suffers jolt as Shyam Rak quits
  17. ^ "Shyam Rajak News: एक स्टिंग ऑपरेशन ने तबाह कर दिया था श्याम रजक का पॉलिटिकल करियर, क्या था वो पूरा मामला जानिए". Navbharat Times (in Hindi). Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  18. ^ Bhelari, Amit (22 August 2024). "Dalit leader Shyam Rajak quits RJD, says was 'cheated'; likely to rejoin JD(U)". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  19. ^ "Former Minister Shyam Rajak becomes deputy leader in state assembly". The Times of India. 23 February 2016. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  20. ^ "Former Bihar minister Shyam Rajak quits Rashtriya Janata Dal, to join Nitish Kumar's JDU". Archived from the original on 16 October 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
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