From RJD Rebel to Bihar's New CM: Who Is Samrat Choudhary?

Bihar has a new political chapter.

Samrat Choudhary, who served as the state's deputy chief minister, has been unanimously elected leader of the NDA legislature party and took oath as the new Bihar Chief Minister on Wednesday.

He became the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister of Bihar following the resignation of Nitish Kumar.

Who Is Samrat Choudhary?

Samrat Choudhary is a veteran Bihar politician who most recently held the Home portfolio as deputy chief minister under Nitish Kumar.

He is regarded within the BJP as an important OBC face in Bihar politics, a constituency that carries decisive electoral weight in the state.

The 57-year-old has big shoes to fill as he is set to succeed Nitish Kumar, who was sworn in as CM for a record 10th time in 2025 after the NDA registered a landmark victory in the assembly elections.

How Did He Start His Political Career?

Choudhary began his political journey with the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

He later aligned with the Janata Dal (United) before eventually joining the BJP in 2017. His trajectory mirrors Bihar's own turbulent coalition landscape, shaped by shifting alliances and recalibrating loyalties.

Choudhary's rise to power is notable, given his humble beginnings in politics.

What Was the 'Underage Minister' Row?

One of the most cited controversies in Choudhary's career dates to 1999.

Reportedly, he was appointed a minister in Rabri Devi's government despite being neither a member of the Bihar Assembly nor the Legislative Council.

Then-Leader of Opposition Sushil Kumar Modi raised formal objections, and according to reports, Governor Suraj Bhan ordered his dismissal over alleged irregularities.

Choudhary subsequently resigned.

Did the Controversies Stop There?

Not quite. According to Deccan Herald, Choudhary's career has been repeatedly mired in controversy, with party switches from the RJD to JD(U) to BJP drawing scrutiny.

Before BJP and JD(U) renewed their alliance in 2024, Choudhary was the sharpest critic of Nitish Kumar. In 2022, he had publicly declared he would not remove his saffron turban (popularly known as muretha in Bihar) until Nitish Kumar was removed from power.

Each shift coincided with changing power equations, raising questions about ideological consistency versus political pragmatism.

How Many Governments Has He Served In?

Choudhary has held ministerial roles under three different governments: the Rabri Devi administration in 1999, the Jitan Ram Manjhi government in 2014, and most recently as deputy chief minister since January 2024.

He was appointed as the BJP's state president in 2023 and later became the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar in 2024.

Why Is He Significant to BJP's Bihar Strategy?

The BJP has never led Bihar alone.

Choudhary's elevation as the new Bihar CM is widely seen as the party asserting its footprint ahead of Bihar’s 2029 assembly elections, leveraging his OBC identity as a consolidation play.

What Led to His Elevation to the Top Post?

Choudhary was named NDA legislature party leader in the presence of BJP chief Nitin Nabin and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was appointed central observer for the leadership transition following Nitish Kumar's Rajya Sabha election.

What Comes Next for Bihar Under Choudhary?

The real test begins after the oath.

Choudhary inherits a functioning coalition but faces the pressure of proving the BJP can lead Bihar independently and consolidate NDA's position ahead of state elections.

(With inputs from yMedia)