Written by Anushka Verma
Published: November 26, 2025
In the high-stakes political theater of Bihar, few figures generate as much discussion and scrutiny as Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. The Leader of the Opposition and a former Deputy Chief Minister, Tejashwi is not just the political heir to the powerful Lalu Prasad Yadav legacy but also a central figure in his own right. His rapid ascent in Bihar politics, coupled with his previous career as a professional cricketer, has made his financial standing a subject of intense public and media interest. While definitive, real-time figures for a politician’s net worth are elusive, the most reliable snapshot comes from the legal documents they submit during elections: their affidavits. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of Tejashwi Yadav’s disclosed net worth, tracing the sources of his assets, his political trajectory, and the controversies that have shaped his public persona.
Introduction: The Politician and the Question of Assets
Tejashwi Yadav represents a new generation in Indian regional politics. Young, and relatively new to the political fray, he was thrust into the spotlight and handed the mantle of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) amidst a period of significant turmoil for his family. His net worth is often discussed not in isolation but against the backdrop of the broader Yadav family’s wealth and the various corruption cases, such as the Land-for-Jobs scam, that have dogged them for years. For his supporters, his disclosed assets are a sign of a clean record, especially when compared to the vast wealth often amassed by other political leaders. For his detractors, it is a figure that invites skepticism and is seen as just a fragment of a larger, undisclosed picture. This dichotomy makes a transparent examination of his finances all the more critical.
The Official Figure: Dissecting the 2020 Affidavit
The most concrete and legally binding data point for Tejashwi Yadav’s net worth comes from the affidavit he filed ahead of the 2020 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections. According to this sworn statement, his total declared assets were valued at approximately ₹5.88 Crore (roughly $705,000 USD, considering exchange rates at the time).
It is crucial to understand what this figure encompasses. The net worth declared in an election affidavit is a sum of two primary categories:
- Movable Assets: These are assets that can be moved and are not fixed to the land. For Tejashwi Yadav, this included:
- Cash in hand.
- Bank balances in savings and current accounts.
- Investments in bonds, shares, and mutual funds.
- Personal effects like jewelry and vehicles.
- Immovable Assets: These refer to property and land. This includes:
- Residential and commercial buildings.
- Agricultural and non-agricultural land.
A detailed breakdown of his assets, as per the 2020 affidavit, provides a clearer picture:
| Asset Category | Specifics | Approximate Value (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Immovable Assets | Residential Flat in Patna | ₹ 2.55 Crore |
| Agricultural Land in Bihar | ₹ 1.10 Crore | |
| Movable Assets | Cash & Bank Deposits | ₹ 1.75 Crore |
| Jewellery | ₹ 35 Lakh | |
| Vehicles | ₹ 13 Lakh | |
| Total Liabilities | Loans & Debts | ₹ 1.05 Crore |
| Net Worth | (Total Assets – Liabilities) | ₹ 5.88 Crore |
This tabulation shows that a significant portion of his wealth is tied up in real estate, a common trend in Indian asset portfolios. The declared liabilities, primarily in the form of loans, are subtracted from the gross asset value to arrive at the net worth figure.
Sources of Wealth: Cricket, Politics, and Inheritance
Tejashwi Yadav’s financial portfolio is built on a foundation laid by three distinct phases of his life.
1. The Cricketing Career:
Before entering politics, Tejashwi aspired to be a professional cricketer. He played as a left-handed batsman and left-arm bowler. His most notable stint was with the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008 and 2009. While he did not get a game in the 2008 season, he was part of a squad that included international stars. Reports from that era suggest his IPL contract would have been in the range of ₹10-20 Lakh, a significant but not astronomical sum for a young player. His cricketing career, though brief, provided him with his first independent income and a national profile, which later proved invaluable in politics.
2. Political Earnings:
Since his formal entry into politics in 2015, his primary income has been derived from his roles as an MLA and Minister. As the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and later as an MLA and Leader of the Opposition, he draws a government salary, allowances, and other perks. While the salary itself is not a primary wealth-builder, the position and influence are central to his financial and political capital.
3. Inheritance and Family Wealth:
As the youngest son of Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, Tejashwi is a beneficiary of the family’s substantial assets. The collective wealth of the Yadav family, including properties and businesses in the names of his parents and siblings, forms a significant economic ecosystem. While his personal affidavit shows ₹5.88 crore, it is widely understood that he has access to and benefits from the larger family fortune, which has been a focal point in various income tax investigations and corruption cases.
The Political Trajectory: From Cricket Pitch to Political Arena
Tejashwi Yadav’s political journey is as dramatic as it is rapid. Born on November 9, 1988, in Bihar, his early life was geared towards sports. However, the political landscape shifted dramatically when his father, Lalu Yadav, was convicted in the Fodder Scam in 2013. With his older brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, he was thrust into the forefront of the RJD.
- 2015: A Meteoric Rise: In a masterstroke, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) formed a ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (Grand Alliance) with the RJD and Congress. To secure the Yadav vote bank and bring youthful energy, Tejashwi was projected as a leader. Following the alliance’s victory, the 26-year-old Tejashwi, with no prior administrative experience, was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, one of the youngest politicians to hold such a high office in India.
- 2017: The Fall and Rebirth: The alliance collapsed in 2017 when Nitish Kumar pulled out, citing corruption allegations against Tejashwi in the Land-for-Jobs scam. Rather than fading away, Tejashwi used this crisis to consolidate his position within the RJD and emerge as the primary voice of opposition against the Nitish Kumar-led government.
- 2020-Present: The Leader of Opposition: In the 2020 elections, the RJD emerged as the single largest party, though the NDA retained power. Tejashwi, representing the Raghopur constituency, officially became the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly. He has since relentlessly attacked the government on issues of law and order, unemployment, and governance, cementing his status as the main challenger for the chief minister’s post in future elections.
Tejashwi Yadav in the Public Eye: Key Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tejashwi Prasad Yadav |
| Date of Birth | November 9, 1988 |
| Place of Birth | Gopalganj, Bihar, India |
| Political Party | Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) |
| Education | Studied at Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram; Did not pursue higher education formally |
| Spouse | Rachel Godinho (a Canadian national of Indian origin) |
| Previous Career | Professional Cricketer (Delhi Daredevils, IPL) |
| Key Political Posts | Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar (2015-2017); Leader of Opposition, Bihar Vidhan Sabha (2020-Present) |
| Constituency | Raghopur, Bihar |
Controversies and Legal Scrutiny
No discussion of Tejashwi Yadav’s wealth is complete without addressing the elephant in the room: the Land-for-Jobs Scam. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have alleged that when his father, Lalu Yadav, was the Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009, several individuals were given Group D jobs in the railways in exchange for prime land in Patna at throwaway prices. These lands were allegedly transferred to family members, including Tejashwi, who was a minor at the time. The agencies claim this was a case of quid-pro-quo and money laundering. Tejashwi has consistently denied all allegations, calling them a political vendetta by the ruling central government to target opposition leaders.
This ongoing legal battle adds a layer of complexity to any assessment of his true net worth, as the value of the properties in question and the alleged quid-pro-quo are not reflected in his official affidavits.
Conclusion: The Known and the Unknown
As of the last official disclosure in 2020, Tejashwi Yadav’s net worth stands at approximately ₹5.88 Crore. This figure, while substantial, is considered modest by the standards of many Indian politicians. However, it represents only the legally declared portion of his wealth. The true extent of his financial standing is shrouded in the fog of political rhetoric, ongoing legal cases, and the complex web of family-owned assets.
Tejashwi Yadav stands at a crossroads in Indian politics. He is the face of a powerful regional party, the chief critic of a formidable ruling alliance, and a defendant in significant corruption cases. His financial narrative is inextricably linked to his political destiny. For the people of Bihar, his net worth is more than just a number; it is a metric by which they measure transparency and integrity. As Bihar continues to be a key battleground state, the scrutiny on Tejashwi’s wealth and the sources thereof will only intensify, making it a central subplot in the larger drama of the state’s political future.
