Yogendra Prasad’s political journey: From panchayat mukhiya to Jharkhand cabinet minister

Mail News Service

Ranchi: The political journey of Yogendra Prasad, the newly appointed minister in Hemant Soren’s cabinet, is one marked by struggles, perseverance, and strategic political moves. Yogendra Prasad, representing Gomia, has made history by becoming the first MLA from the region to win a second term. His rise from a Panchayat mukhiya to a state minister reflects the twists and turns of his political career, which has seen him change parties and face significant challenges.

Prasad, who secured a historic victory in the 2024 assembly elections with over 95,000 votes, was inducted into the cabinet of the Hemant Soren government. This victory was particularly significant as it marked the return of an MLA from Gomia to the ministerial ranks after 21 years. The last time an MLA from Gomia was made a minister was in 2000, when Madhavlal Singh served as the Transport Minister in the Rabri Devi government of undivided Bihar.

Speaking about his victory, Prasad said, “Winning the Gomia seat for the second time with such a significant margin is a historic moment for me. I am committed to serving my constituency and the people who have put their trust in me.” In the recent election, Prasad defeated his nearest rival, Pooja Kumari of the JLKM, by a margin of over 36,000 votes. He had earlier defeated BJP’s Madhavlal Singh in the 2014 elections as well.

Prasad’s political journey began in his native Murubanda village in Ramgarh district, where he came from a modest Kudmi farmer family. In 1991, he entered politics as the Hazaribagh District Vice President of the Congress Party. His rise through the ranks of Congress saw him becoming the District President in 1995, but his political allegiance shifted in the years that followed. In the late 1990s, he joined Janata Dal under then Chief Minister Lalu Yadav and later, after the formation of Jharkhand, switched to Sudesh Mahto’s AJSU Party.

In 2007, Sudesh Mahto tasked Prasad with preparing the ground for AJSU in Gomia. Prasad contested the 2009 assembly elections from Gomia, where he finished second, and became the Central General Secretary of AJSU. However, when he was denied a ticket for the 2014 elections, he left AJSU and joined the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). His move to JMM proved successful, as he won the Gomia seat with more than 97,000 votes.

Despite his success, Prasad faced a setback in 2018 when his legislative membership was terminated by the court. However, his wife, Babita Devi, took his place and became the MLA in the subsequent by-election. In 2019, she contested again but lost to AJSU’s Dr. Lambodar Mahato. In 2022, Prasad was entrusted with key roles, including membership in the Jharkhand State Coordination Committee and later as Chairman of the Jharkhand State Backward Classes Commission.

Reflecting on his journey, Prasad said, “The path I have taken has not been easy, but every challenge has only made me stronger. Today, I am honoured to serve as a minister in the Hemant Soren government and continue working for the development of my people.”