In Bihar’s Gopalganj district sits Phulwariya, the ancestral village of Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Chief Minister of Bihar and former Railway Minister of India. Once the center of his political influence, the village today reflects both recognition and neglect as residents look back on its past and compare it with the present.
“It feels good to say I’m from Lalu’s village”
In Phulwariya, Lalu Prasad Yadav’s name still carries weight. His ancestral home stands intact, modest and functional. Residents, especially the older ones, recall his time in power with respect.
“It feels good that I belong to the village of a former Chief Minister,” says Bani Devi, a long-time resident. “He built the roads, the hospital and the police station. Whatever was made, it was during his time.”
Many villagers share this view. They see Lalu as someone who brought visibility to their village. “When we tell people we are from Phulwariya, they immediately know it is Lalu Yadav’s village,” says another resident.
“What he built then still stands today”
The sense of pride is mixed with disappointment. Phulwariya has a health center, police station, railway station and banks, but residents say these were all built during Lalu’s tenure.
“Whatever facilities we have, the hospital, the roads, all were made when he was in power. After that, nothing new happened,” says one villager.
The Phulwariya Health Centre continues to operate, but its building is old and in need of repair. The roads are damaged and the area near the police station is littered. Residents say that while the village’s name remains well known, development has barely moved forward.
“People in Gujarat don’t have to leave their villages to earn. Here, our youth migrate because there are no jobs. Many men work abroad,” says a woman whose husband is employed in the Gulf.
“Nitish Kumar and Modi haven’t done much here”
While many speak about Lalu’s time in power, the current government does not get similar praise. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is a target of criticism.
“He hasn’t done anything for this area. What Lalu built is still here, but nothing new has come,” says a villager.
Educated women in Phulwariya also raise concerns about limited access to government schemes.
“If you can reach the officials, you get help. If not, there is no support,” says a graduate woman who feels overlooked.
A village of contrasts
As evening approaches, the street lights come on, offering a brief glow along the narrow lanes. Beyond that, residents say, the progress stops.
While people remain proud of their connection to Lalu Prasad Yadav, they admit that this identity has not brought lasting growth. Residents say that the changes they saw during his time in power have not continued.
Phulwariya tells a larger story about Bihar’s politics and development. It reflects a journey that began with local leadership and now struggles with stagnation. Phulwariya remains a reminder of how politics and development are connected in rural India and how legacies often outlast power.
