Bhojpuri Superstar Khesari Lal Yadav Trails in Electoral Debut as RJD Faces Setbacks in Bihar Polls

Yadav contested on an RJD ticket.

Bhojpuri superstar Khesari Lal Yadav appears headed for defeat in his first electoral attempt, currently trailing BJP candidate Chhoti Kumari by more than 6,000 votes in Bihar's Chapra constituency.

The actor-singer-politician's electoral performance mirrors his party's struggles, with the RJD leading in only 28 seats despite fielding candidates in 143 constituencies - the highest number among major political parties.

Khesari Yadav, whose legal name is Shatrughan Yadav, found himself embroiled in controversy during the Bihar election campaign after making remarks about the Ram Mandir.

"Will I become a teacher, professor, or officer after studying at the Ram Temple? No. The Ram Temple is a matter of faith, which is a different matter. But work must be done for education. The country runs on education," the 39-year-old had stated.

When defending his comments on November 6, the first day of polling, Yadav clarified that he never intended to hurt religious sentiments but wanted to emphasize education's importance.

"I have built that house with great hard work. I don't know what God wants; everything is going wrong with me... Will I become a Master or Professor after studying in Ram Mandir? Devotion is a different matter. Education is important; through education, you can run a country. Build a temple, build a mosque, but also work for the future of children. Will we vote for Trump for that? No. I stand by my statement," he told news agency ANI.

He also responded to criticism from opponents regarding alleged vulgarity in his songs. While acknowledging some were a "mistake," Yadav argued they weren't responsible for Bihar's employment and education challenges.

"As a musician, I don't feel bad at all. There is nothing wrong in music. I did that for the entertainment of people. I did not understand much. But that is music, and this is development. Chapra is not facing waterlogging due to my vulgar songs. Is the education system broken due to my vulgar songs? Is the condition of hospitals dismal because of my vulgar songs? This is a different subject, and my songs are a different subject," he explained.

A recent video showcasing Yadav's workout routine went viral, with numerous social media users complimenting his physical fitness.