Abdul Bari Siddiqui is an Indian politician from Bihar, associated for much of his career with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). He has served multiple terms as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Bihar and has held senior posts in the state government, most notably as Finance Minister of Bihar. He is regarded as one of the senior leaders within the RJD and has been a close associate of party president Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Key facts
| Name | Abdul Bari Siddiqui |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| State | Bihar |
| Constituency | Alinagar (Darbhanga district) |
| Primary party | Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) |
| Notable office | Finance Minister of Bihar |
| Legislature | Bihar Legislative Assembly |
Background
Siddiqui hails from the Mithila region of north Bihar, with his political base in Darbhanga district. He represents the Alinagar Assembly constituency, which lies within Darbhanga Lok Sabha territory. He belongs to the Muslim community and has been one of the prominent Muslim faces of the RJD in Bihar politics.
Political career
Siddiqui's political career began in the period when the Janata Dal dominated Bihar politics. After the formation of the Rashtriya Janata Dal by Lalu Prasad Yadav in 1997, Siddiqui aligned with the new party and rose through its ranks. Over the years he has been elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly multiple times from the Madhubani–Darbhanga belt.
Ministerial role
Siddiqui served as the Finance Minister of Bihar in the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) government formed after the 2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, in which the RJD, Janata Dal (United) and Indian National Congress contested together. As Finance Minister, he was responsible for presenting the state budget and overseeing the finance department until the alliance broke in 2017, when JD(U) realigned with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Legislative Assembly leadership
Siddiqui has also served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly during periods when the RJD sat in opposition, in addition to holding senior organisational responsibilities within the party.
Significance
Within Bihar's political landscape, Siddiqui has been considered an important link between the RJD leadership and the Muslim electorate of north Bihar, particularly in the Mithilanchal region. His tenure as Finance Minister placed him among the senior administrative figures of the 2015–2017 Mahagathbandhan government.
Related topics
- Rashtriya Janata Dal
- Bihar Legislative Assembly
- Alinagar Assembly constituency
- Darbhanga district
- Lalu Prasad Yadav
- Politics of Bihar
- 2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly election
References
- Wikidata entity: Q4665307
- Bihar Legislative Assembly — Members' records
- Election Commission of India — Bihar Assembly election results