In a historic shift for Bihar’s political landscape, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is poised to be sworn in as the state’s next Chief Minister, marking the end of Nitish Kumar’s more than two-decade tenure.
With this elevation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will finally see its first-ever Chief Minister in the state. Choudhary, a prominent OBC leader, is expected to take the oath of office tomorrow, April 15, at Lok Bhawan as part of a significant cabinet reshuffle.
The transition began to take shape as soon as Nitish Kumar signaled his intent to contest for the Rajya Sabha. The momentum for Choudhary’s candidacy quickly grew into a consensus among senior party leaders.
During a critical legislature party meeting, Deputy CM Vijay Sinha, alongside senior leaders Mangal Pandey, Dilip Jaiswal, and Renu Devi, formally proposed Choudhary’s name. The proposal received official endorsement from the central observer and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Following the announcement, Choudhary turned to social media to express his deep appreciation to the BJP leadership for the opportunity to lead the state. In a heartfelt post on X, he emphasized that the role is a responsibility toward the citizens of Bihar.
https://x.com/samrat4bjp/status/2044003903654768920?s=20
“This is not merely a position for me, but a sacred opportunity to serve the people of Bihar, to fulfil their trust and dreams. I pledge to live up to the expectations of one and all with complete dedication, commitment, and integrity,” Choudhary wrote.
He further committed to aligning his vision with the central government’s goals, stating, “Under the able leadership of the country’s esteemed Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji and the guidance of the honourable National President Shri @NitinNabin ji, I will remain continuously committed to taking Bihar to new heights of development, good governance, and prosperity. Your affection, blessings, and cooperation are my greatest strength.”
Who is Samrat Choudhary?
Samrat Choudhary has been a fixture in Bihar politics for over thirty years. His journey began in 1999 when he served as the Minister of Agriculture in the RJD-led government. Known for his formidable grassroots connection, he made headlines in 2010 by retaining his Parbatta constituency despite a massive JD(U) wave. That same year, he was appointed the Chief Whip of the Bihar Assembly.
His political path took him from the RJD to the JD(U) in 2014, where he served as the Minister of Urban Development and Housing. However, his most significant rise occurred after joining the BJP in 2018.
Rapidly ascending the ranks, he became the state Vice President and a star campaigner for the NDA in the 2020 elections, where the BJP secured 74 seats. After becoming the state unit president in 2023, he guided the party to become the single largest entity in the 2025 assembly elections.
Choudhary comes from a political dynasty; he is the son of Shakuni Choudhary, a founding member of the Samata Party. As a powerful OBC face, he is a crucial figure in consolidating the votes of the Kushwaha (Koeri) community.
Together with the Kurmi community, this demographic represents roughly seven to eight percent of Bihar’s population, making his leadership a strategic milestone for the BJP’s future in the state.
