Bima Bharti (born 1 January 1973[1]) is an Indian politician and the former Minister of Sugarcane Industries in the Government of Bihar. She is a leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal since 2024 after leaving Janata Dal (United). She is a member of Bihar Legislative Assembly elected as the representative of the Rupauli constituency 4 times from November 2000 onward. Shankar Singh had defeated her in February 2005 but she was re-elected again in October 2005.
Bima Bharti | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister of Sugarcane industries, Bihar | |
| In office 3 June 2019 – 16 Nov 2020 | |
| Member of Bihar Legislative Assembly | |
| Assumed office November 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Shankar Singh |
| Constituency | Rupauli |
| In office November 2000 – February 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Bal Kishore Mandal |
| Succeeded by | Shankar Singh |
| Constituency | Rupauli |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 January 1973 |
| Political party | Rashtriya Janata Dal (2024 – present) |
| Other political affiliations | Janata Dal (United) (till 2024) |
| Spouse | Awadhesh Mandal |
Political career
Bima Bharti began her political career in 2000.[1] She contested as an independent candidate from the Rupauli constituency and was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly.[2] Subsequently, she became a member of the Rashtriya Janata Dal.[3] In the February 2005 election, she lost the seat to Shankar Singh of the Lok Janshakti Party but in the following October election, she was able to win back the seat.[4] She subsequently quit the Rashtriya Janata Dal and joined the Janata Dal (United) before the 2010 Bihar Legislative Assembly election.[5] She was re-elected in 2010 and again in 2015 as a member of the Janata Dal (United).[6][7]She has resigned from Janata Dal (United) and joined Rastriya Janta Dal (RJD) ahead of 2024 genral election.
Personal life
Bharti is married to Awadhesh Mandal who was convicted of intimidation of witnesses in a murder case.[8][9] In January 2015, she helped her husband, who had multiple criminal cases against him, escape from jail.[10] Her 21-year-old son was discovered dead in August 2018.[11] Another son was beaten in 2019.[12][13] Bharati is an animal lover, in 2023, she came into limelight after she took out funeral procession of her pet dog.[14]