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Few Indian politicians can match the mass appeal and charisma of Lalu Prasad Yadav. As the
leader of a political party, as the Chief Minister of Bihar and as Union Minister, he blazed a
trail, bringing a dash of rustic wit and flair into the nation's political narrative of drab 'political
correctness'. Although essentially a regional leader, his influence has extended beyond his home
state, often impacting important political developments at the Centre.
Gopalganj to Raisina Road is the journey of India's most colourful political leader. From his humble
origins in Phulwaria village to his remarkable rise as Railway Minister, the narrative relives the
twists and turns and the highs and lows of his life. In doing so, it reveals little-known facets of
many inflection points in the nation's history: the Emergency, how he got V.P. Singh to implement
the explosive Mandal Commission recommendations, the arrest of veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani
during the latter's Rath Yatra, Sonia Gandhi's decision to not lead the UPA government, his
acceptance of Manmohan Singh's candidature for prime ministership in 2004, and his dramatic
relationship with friend-turned-foe Nitish Kumar.
A political potboiler as never seen before, Lalu Prasad Yadav's autobiography is the most important
book if one has to understand the evolution of the politics of the dalits and the marginalized.
