Political dynasties: How internal rifts shape futures; tracking Lalu’s family dispute

Since the Bihar election results, there has been significant political drama inside and outside RJD supremo Lalu Prasad’s residence in Patna. But political family feuds are not new to India. Dynastic parties have gone through internal rivalries that spill into the public domain; the question is its implications for the future.

The Lalu Prasad family feud comes at a time when voters in Bihar have already given their verdict: the next Assembly elections are five years away, the Lok Sabha in 2029, and the party is out of power, meaning there is no immediate threat—like Maharashtra, where the Sharad Pawar–Ajit Pawar split in July 2023, paving the way for BJP-led Mahayuti.

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The fact is, family feuds have reshaped parties, toppled governments, and exposed the fragility of dynasti