Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Samrat Choudhary was sworn in on Wednesday as the 24th Chief Minister of Bihar. Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui
By Alok Mohit
PATNA: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Samrat Choudhary was sworn in on Wednesday as the 24th Chief Minister of Bihar, drawing the curtains on the long-dominant era of Nitish Kumar. With his elevation, the BJP has, for the first time, secured the Chief Minister’s post in Bihar.
Governor Syed Ata Hasnain administered the oath of office and secrecy to Samrat Choudhary at Lok Bhavan in Patna, in the presence of senior NDA leaders.
Outgoing chief minister Nitish Kumar, now a Rajya Sabha member, also attended the ceremony and congratulated Samrat Choudhary, expressing hope that the state would see faster development under the new leadership. Choudhary, in his brief remarks, acknowledged the administrative groundwork laid over the years and said his government would seek to build on it through a collective approach.
Nitish Kumar had resigned a day earlier after a cabinet meeting, signalling not just a change of guard but also a shift in Bihar’s political balance. In the outgoing government, Samrat Choudhary served as Deputy Chief Minister and handled the key Home portfolio, a role that had already placed him at the centre of governance.
Senior Janata Dal (United) leaders Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav were also sworn in as ministers and later designated as Deputy Chief Ministers, reflecting the coalition’s attempt to maintain continuity alongside change. Vijay Kumar Choudhary is widely seen as a trusted associate of Nitish Kumar, while Bijendra Yadav brings decades of administrative and political experience, including in key departments such as energy.
Earlier, Samrat Choudhary was unanimously chosen as leader of the NDA legislature party on Tuesday. With this, his political journey—spanning the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the JD(U), and eventually the BJP—culminated in his rise to the state’s top office.
Before the swearing-in on Wednesday, Samrat Choudhary visited the Hanuman temple on Bailey Road to offer prayers. Soon after taking oath, he headed to the Chief Minister’s office, where he was received by senior officials, including Chief Secretary Pratyay Amrit, and formally assumed charge.
At 57, his rise has not been without setbacks. His first stint as a minister in the RJD government led by Rabri Devi in 1999 ended abruptly following eligibility concerns over his age, leading to his removal by then Governor Suraj Bhan. He returned to active politics soon after and steadily rebuilt his career.
The turning point came in 2017 when he joined the BJP. Drawing on a strong OBC support base and organisational backing, he climbed the party ranks—from state vice-president to state president—and emerged as a prominent face in Bihar politics. His appointment as Deputy Chief Minister in 2024 further consolidated his position, particularly after he took charge of the Home Department.
About the Author
Alok Mohit is a senior journalist based in Patna with decades of experience in mainstream journalism. He has previously served as Senior News Editor at Hindustan Times, Patna, and later at Hindustan Times, Chandigarh, where he played a key role in shaping news coverage and editorial direction. Known for his in-depth understanding of socio-political issues and strong editorial judgement, he continues to contribute insightful analysis and reporting on matters of public interest.
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