Who Is Samrat Choudhary? Bihar’s New CM And BJP’s Rising OBC Face

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and outgoing Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has emerged as the new Chief Minister of Bihar following a major political transition in the state, marking a significant shift in leadership after the resignation of Nitish Kumar.

Choudhary’s elevation comes after Nitish Kumar stepped down from the top post, following a cabinet meeting and subsequent resignation submitted to the Governor. The BJP legislature party later met at its state headquarters, where Choudhary was chosen as the leader, paving the way for him to assume charge as Chief Minister. His appointment is being viewed as a generational change in Bihar politics and a milestone moment for the BJP, which is set to lead the state government directly.

Born on November 16, 1968, in Lakhanpur in Munger district, Choudhary comes from a politically active family. His father, Shakuni Choudhary, served multiple terms as an MLA and Member of the Legislative Council, giving him early exposure to Bihar’s political landscape. He began his political journey in the 1990s and gradually rose through various government and party roles across shifting alliances in the state.

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Choudhary first held ministerial responsibility in the Rabri Devi government in 1999 and later served in different capacities in subsequent administrations. After a split with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), he joined the BJP in 2018 and steadily rose through the party ranks, eventually becoming Bihar BJP president in March 2023. Following the return of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to power in January 2024, he was appointed Deputy Chief Minister.

As Deputy Chief Minister, Choudhary has handled key portfolios including finance, urban development and housing, health, panchayati raj, industry, and commercial taxes. He has been projected by the BJP as a prominent OBC leader and an organisationally strong figure, with his elevation seen as part of the party’s broader strategy to strengthen its base in caste-sensitive Bihar politics.

Despite his political rise, Choudhary has faced criticism over alleged discrepancies regarding his educational qualifications, an issue raised during election campaigns by political opponents. However, the controversy has had limited impact on his political trajectory. His swearing-in as Chief Minister is scheduled to take place on April 15 at Raj Bhavan in Patna, along with the formation of the new council of ministers.

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