Samrat Choudhary is set to take over as the Chief Minister of Bihar, replacing Nitish Kumar, the BJP announced on Tuesday. A senior party leader and currently the Deputy Chief Minister, he is likely to be sworn in on April 15.
Choudhary, a prominent BJP leader, will succeed JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar, under whom he had been serving as deputy in the state government.
Early life and political background
Samrat Choudhary hails from a strong political family in Bihar. His father, Shakuni Chaudhary, was a six-time MLA from Tarapur, while his mother, Parvati Devi, also served as a legislator, giving him an early exposure to politics.
He began his political career with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in 1999 and quickly rose through the ranks. In 2000, he was elected as an MLA from Parbatta in Khagaria and later became a minister in the Rabri Devi-led government.
Political journey across parties
Choudhary’s career has seen significant political shifts. After spending several years in the RJD, he joined the Janata Dal (United) in 2014 and served as a minister in the government led by Jitan Ram Manjhi.
In 2017, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), where he rapidly rose within the organisation. He held key positions, including state vice-president, and was appointed Bihar BJP president in 2023. In January 2024, he became the Deputy Chief Minister in the NDA government led by Nitish Kumar.
Role in Bihar politics
Choudhary is regarded as one of the BJP’s prominent OBC faces in Bihar, where caste dynamics significantly influence electoral politics. As a key strategist and campaigner, he has played an important role in strengthening the party’s organisational base in the state.
He also maintains a strong grassroots presence, particularly in Tarapur, a traditional stronghold of his family.
Controversies
His political journey has also been marked by controversies. Opposition leaders have raised questions over discrepancies in his election affidavits related to his age and have demanded an inquiry.
He has also faced allegations in connection with a 1995 murder case, where his name was mentioned along with his father. These issues continue to surface in political debates, even as he remains a significant figure in Bihar politics. (Agency)