Bihar's Leshi Singh takes oath as minister for record 8th time
Senior Janata Dal (United) leader and Dhamdaha MLA Leshi Singh scripted a rare political milestone in Bihar on 7 May 2025, taking oath as a minister for the eighth time during the Cabinet expansion of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. The swearing-in ceremony, held at Patna's Gandhi Maidan, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and several senior National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders.
A Political Career Spanning Decades
Leshi Singh entered active politics in 2000, winning her first Assembly election on a Samata Party ticket. She has since represented the Dhamdaha Assembly constituency for several consecutive terms, building a formidable electoral base and organisational influence within the JD-U. Even after the tragic assassination of her husband, Singh continued her political journey with resolve, eventually establishing an independent political identity in the state.
Over the course of her long career, she has helmed several key departments in the Bihar government, including the Industries Department, the Social Welfare Department, the Disaster Management Department, and the Food and Consumer Protection Department, among others. Her administrative depth and organisational capabilities have made her one of the senior-most figures within the JD-U.
Dominant Force in Seemanchal
Leshi Singh is widely regarded as one of the most influential women leaders in Bihar's Seemanchal region. In the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, she registered a commanding victory, defeating Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Santosh Kushwaha by a margin of more than 55,000 votes. Political observers note that her continued electoral dominance remains a critical pillar of the JD-U's influence in the region.
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