Bihar gets its Samrat, BJP's era of dominance begins

Samrat Choudhary will be the next Chief Minister of Bihar after he was elected as the leader of the BJP legislature party on Tuesday. He will succeed Nitish Kumar, who steered the state for two decades.

The emergence of Choudhary as the new Chief Minister marks a major turning point in the state’s politics. This is not just a routine change of leadership, but a clear signal that Bihar is entering a new political phase where the Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to lead the state with its own face rather than depending on allies.

WHY BJP CHOSE HIM

Choudhary fits the bill because he brings a mix of long political experience, strong caste support, and proven administrative exposure. He has been in active politics since 1990, which means he has seen every major political phase in Bihar – from Mandal politics to the BJP’s rise. This long experience gives him both political understanding and ground-level connection.

One of his biggest strengths is his caste base. He belongs to the Kushwaha or Koeri community. Together with Nitish Kumar's Kurmi community, both castes form around 7 to 8 per cent of Bihar's population. Moreover, OBCs and Extremely Backward Classes make up nearly 60 per cent of the state’s population.

His administrative experience also plays a big role in his elevation. Since 2024, he has been serving as Deputy Chief Minister, while handling important departments such as finance, urban development, and panchayati raj. These are core governance sectors, and managing them has given him direct experience in running the state government.

OVER 3 DECADES OF EXPERIENCE

Choudhary started his career with the Rashtriya Janata Dal in the 1990s and became a minister in 1999 under Rabri Devi. This was his first major role in power, which helped him gain early administrative experience. Later, he moved to the Janata Dal (United), where he worked under Nitish Kumar.

However, he did not remain in one party throughout his career. A key turning point came in 2014, when he played a major role in splitting the RJD, which showed that he could take bold political decisions and adapt to changing political situations in Bihar.

Choudhary eventually joined the BJP in 2018, where he grew by leaps and bounds. He became its state unit president, then a key face during Assembly elections, and later Deputy Chief Minister. Today, he is seen as one of the strongest OBC leaders in Bihar BJP.

HIS EQUATION WITH NITISH KUMAR

At one point of time, Choudhary was one of Nitish Kumar’s strongest critics and often attacked him politically. He positioned himself as a challenger to Nitish Kumar’s leadership in Bihar.

In fact, he began sporting a symbolic “Muretha” (turban), vowing not to remove it until the JDU supremo was ousted from power.

But the situation changed between 2024 and 2026. As Deputy Chief Minister, Choudhary worked closely with Kumar. He handled key departments and became a part of his core team. Over time, this working relationship turned him from a political opponent into one of Kumar’s most trusted leaders within the alliance.

This shift showed how coalition politics in Bihar has often forced leaders to move from rivalry to co-operation.

CONTROVERSIES

Choudhary has also faced several controversies during his political career.

The most serious allegation against him pertains to a 1995 murder case in which his name surfaced alongside his father, Shakuni Choudhary. He has, however, denied any involvement, maintaining that no charges were ever framed against him.

Another controversy emerged in 1999, when questions were raised about his age, with allegations that he did not meet the minimum requirement of 25 years to serve as a minister, eventually leading to his resignation.

He has also faced scrutiny over his educational qualifications, after his election affidavit mentioned an honorary degree and “PFC” without clearly specifying his academic background. The undefined term led to confusion and criticism from political opponents.

Choudhary’s elevation to the Chief Minister’s post underscores an evolving strategy in which caste dynamics, experience, and party consolidation are converging, enabling the BJP to assert stronger control over the state’s leadership and shape its political trajectory.

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