Political Science meets politics: Bihar Minister selected as Assistant Professor

Amit Bhelari

PATNA

Bihar’s Rural Works Minister Ashok Choudhary, a close aide of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has been selected for the post of Assistant Professor in Political Science under the Bihar State University Service Commission (BSUSC) recruitment process.

Mr. Choudhary, 57, was among the 275 candidates selected for the 280 available posts in Political Science, under the Scheduled Caste category. The results of the recruitment examination, originally advertised in 2020, were announced on Tuesday evening.

Speaking to The Hindu from Assam, Mr. Choudhary confirmed his selection: “Yes, I have been selected for the post of Assistant Professor in Political Science.”

When asked whether he would accept the position while continuing as a Minister in the Bihar government, Mr. Choudhary responded, “It depends on which university I am allotted. If it is in or around Patna, I will try to manage both roles.”

Recruitment process

The BSUSC had announced a total of 4,638 vacancies for Assistant Professor positions across 52 subjects in 2020. The maximum age limit for applicants was fixed at 55 years.

Born in Sheikhpura district, Mr. Choudhary began his political career with the Congress and was elected MLA from Barbigha in 2000. He served as Bihar Congress president in 2013 before joining the Janata Dal (United) in 2018. Currently a member of the Bihar Legislative Council, he has previously held ministerial portfolios in the Education and Building Construction departments.

 Asked about potential backlash from the Opposition, Mr. Choudhary remained unfazed. “I cleared the exam and applied according to the eligibility criteria. The Opposition has nothing substantial to raise. If they failed to create jobs during their tenure, that’s their failure, not mine,” he said.