Renu Devi was born on November 1, 1959, into a family of the Nonia community, which is classified as an extremely backward community. Her father, Krishna Prasad, belonged to this community. Despite facing challenges, she completed her education up to the 12th standard at Mahanth Darshan Das Mahila College in Muzaffarpur.
Biography:
Renu Devi was born on November 1, 1959, to Krishna Prasad, belonging to the extremely backward Nonia community. Her education journey took her up to the 12th standard at Mahanth Darshan Das Mahila College in Muzaffarpur. At a young age in 1973, she got married to Durga Prasad, an insurance inspector in Howrah, West Bengal.
Sadly, after her husband’s sudden demise within seven years of marriage, she returned to Bettiah in Bihar, her mother’s hometown. As a single mother of two children, Renu Devi became involved in RSS activities, influenced by her mother’s connection to it. She was also an activist in Durga Vahini, the women’s wing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
When the BJP was formed, Renu Devi joined the party, becoming an active member of its women’s wing, Bharteeya Mahila Morcha. She led campaigns in the Charmparan region of Bihar. Actively participating in the Ram Janmbhumi movement led by BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani, she was arrested in 1990.
Renu Devi served as the general secretary and president of BJP’s Bihar Mahila Morcha. Although her first attempt to win a seat in the Bihar legislative assembly in 1995 was unsuccessful, she persisted. In 2000, she finally succeeded, becoming an MLA from Bettiah. She retained the seat until 2015 when she faced defeat in the grand alliance. In 2020, she triumphed once again in the MLA election from Bettiah, making history as the first female Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar under the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government.
Fascinating Facts about Renu Devi:
- Rooted in Ideals: Renu Devi drew inspiration from the RSS ideology and actively participated in Durga Vahini, the women’s wing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
- Courageous Stand: In 1990, she faced arrest for her involvement in the Ram Janmbhumi movement, a significant event led by Lal Krishna Advani.
- Amit Shah’s Protégé: Renu Devi has a notable stint working directly under the ex-BJP chief, Amit Shah, serving as a member of the BJP’s executive committee.
- Historic Achievement: As the 5th Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Renu Devi holds the distinction of being the first woman to assume this influential position.
Political Journey:
Political Journey
1989: Renu Devi assumed the role of the president of BJP Mahila Morcha in the Champaran region of Bihar.
1990: During the Ram Janmbhoomi movement led by Lal Krishna Advani, Renu Devi faced arrest.
1991: Recognizing her contributions, she was promoted to the position of general secretary of BJP Mahila Morcha in Bihar.
1995: Renu Devi contested her initial MLA election from the Nautan constituency in Bihar, though victory eluded her.
1998: Joining BJP, she became a member of BJP’s Mahila Morcha.
2000: Securing her first win, Renu Devi became an MLA from the Bettiah constituency, a position she held until 2015.
2015: Unfortunately, Renu Devi faced defeat in the legislative assembly elections, marking a temporary setback in her political journey.
2020: Elected once again as an MLA from Bettiah, Renu Devi made history by becoming the 5th Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, marking the first woman to hold this position in the state.
2022: Facing political shifts, Renu Devi resigned as the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar on August 11, 2022, following the collapse of the government due to Nitish Kumar’s departure from the NDA, joining the grand alliance with RJD. Despite this, her impact on Bihar’s political landscape remained significant.
Renu Devi’s Early Life:
1959: Born into a family in Bihar belonging to the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), Renu Devi’s journey began.
1973: At the age of 14, she entered into matrimony with Durga Prasad, marking the start of her family life.
1979: Tragedy struck as she lost her husband, leading her back to Bettiah, which would later become the arena for her political endeavors.
Renu Devi’s Achievements:
From grassroots to pinnacles, Renu Devi’s journey is marked by notable milestones:
- Serving as the General Secretary of BJP Mahila Morcha in Bihar showcased her early leadership.
- Ascending to the role of President of BJP Mahila Morcha in Bihar highlighted her growing influence in the political sphere.
- Making history, she became the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, breaking barriers as the first woman to hold this esteemed position.
