From Nitish Kumar’s Critic to His Deputy: The Political Journey of Bihar Leader Samrat Choudhary
Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary emerges as a key political figure ahead of state elections.
As Bihar heads into a crucial election, all eyes are on Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary — a seasoned BJP leader whose political rise has been marked by rebellion, strategy, and shifting alliances. Once best known for his vow to remove Nitish Kumar from power, Choudhary today shares the same administration as Kumar, symbolizing the unpredictable nature of Bihar politics. His name has recently resurfaced amid sharp exchanges with Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor, who accused him of concealing his age and educational details while linking him to a decades-old criminal case — allegations he has denied as politically motivated.
Born on November 16, 1968, in Lakhanpur village of Munger, Choudhary hails from a politically influential family. His father, Shakuni Choudhary, served multiple terms as both MLA and MP, while his mother, Parvati Devi, represented the Tarapur constituency in the Bihar Assembly. After completing his primary education locally, Samrat pursued higher studies at Madurai Kamaraj University before stepping into politics in 1990. His first significant breakthrough came in 1999 when he was appointed Bihar’s Minister of Agriculture under Rabri Devi’s government.
Choudhary’s political journey has seen him move across parties and positions. Initially associated with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Janata Dal (United), he played a pivotal role in orchestrating an RJD split in 2014 by leading 13 MLAs into forming a splinter faction before joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Over the years, he has held several cabinet positions, including Minister of Urban Development and Housing under Jitan Ram Manjhi in 2014, as well as earlier stints overseeing the Metrology and Horticulture departments.
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In March 2023, Choudhary was appointed President of the Bihar BJP, succeeding Sanjay Jaiswal, with the aim of strengthening the party’s influence among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), especially the Koeri and Kushwaha communities. During his tenure, he became known for his outspoken criticism of Nitish Kumar, accusing him of policy failures and political opportunism. At one point, Choudhary symbolically vowed not to remove his turban until he unseated Kumar from the Chief Minister’s position. Ironically, he removed it in July 2024 after Nitish Kumar rejoined the BJP-led coalition, marking a new chapter in their alliance.
By January 2024, Samrat Choudhary had emerged as the BJP’s legislative party leader in Bihar and took oath as Deputy Chief Minister, handling key portfolios such as Finance, Health, Urban Development, and Panchayati Raj. Known for his fiery rhetoric, Choudhary has not shied away from controversy — from comparing Rahul Gandhi’s beard to Osama bin Laden’s to sparring with opposition leaders over development issues. With the Bihar election results due soon, the 56-year-old leader’s political experience, sharp oratory, and strategic adaptability continue to make him one of the most watched figures in state and national politics.
