Samrat Choudhary has been elected as the BJP legislative party leader in Bihar, clearing the way for him to become the state’s next Chief Minister. The decision was taken at an NDA meeting held in Patna, with the formal announcement made by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who attended as a Central observer.
The oath ceremony is expected to take place on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Nitish Kumar submitted his resignation after dissolving his Cabinet following its final meeting. His exit marks the end of a long tenure in the chief minister’s chair.
Also Read | Uncertainty grows in Ladakh as Sonam Wangchuk flags delay in Centre talks
Support from NDA leaders
Choudhary’s name was proposed by Vijay Kumar Sinha and backed by leaders including Renu Devi, Mangal Pandey, and Dilip Jaiswal during the NDA meeting.
Nitish Kumar, while stepping down, acknowledged the Centre’s role in the state’s progress. “Bihar will develop even faster and join the top states of the country,” he said, per Hindustan Times. He added that the state would contribute significantly to national growth.
Speaking about future plans, he said, “This will lead to even more work, as a result of which Bihar will advance significantly,” referring to the 7 Nishchay-3 roadmap.
Political roots and early career
Choudhary comes from a political family. His father, Shakuni Chaudhary, served six terms as an MLA from Tarapur, while his mother Parvati Devi was also a legislator. He began his political journey with the Rashtriya Janata Dal in 1999, HT reported.
In 2000, he was elected MLA from Parbatta in Khagaria and became a minister in the government led by Rabri Devi.
Also Read | Who replaces Nitish Kumar? BJP to pick next Bihar CM
Shift across parties and rise in BJP
Over the years, Choudhary switched political affiliations. He joined the Janata Dal (United) in 2014 and later moved to the BJP in 2017. Within the party, he rose quickly, serving as state vice-president and later becoming the Bihar unit president in 2023.
In January 2024, he was appointed deputy chief minister in the NDA government led by Nitish Kumar.
Key role in Bihar politics
Choudhary is seen as a prominent OBC leader in Bihar and has played a key role in the BJP’s organisational expansion. He maintains a strong base in regions such as Tarapur, reflecting his continued grassroots presence.
