Bihar’s politics changed forever with Lalu Yadav’s MY formula — the powerful Muslim-Yadav alliance that shaped the state’s political identity for more than three decades. But how did he create it? The secret lies in the two Ms — Mandir and Mandal.
In 1990, two major events shook Indian politics: the Mandal Commission’s decision to give reservations to backward castes, and LK Advani’s Ram Rath Yatra demanding a Ram Temple. While these stirred the nation, Lalu Yadav cleverly turned both to his advantage. Mandal gave him the support of backward classes, and by stopping Advani’s Rath Yatra in Bihar, he won the trust of Muslims.
Thus, Lalu Yadav’s MY formula—uniting Muslims and Yadavs—became a winning political strategy. It helped him sweep the 1991 and 1995 elections and made RJD the home of Bihar’s backward and minority voters. Though times have changed and new players like AIMIM are emerging, the Lalu Yadav MY formula still defines Bihar’s political battleground even today.
