BJP Takes Direct Charge in Bihar as Samrat Chaudhary Replaces Nitish Kumar in Major Political Shift
Bihar Chief Minister
Senior BJP leader Samrat Chaudhary took oath as the 21st Chief Minister of Bihar on Wednesday. While Samrat’s era begins, the long-standing tenure of Nitish Kumar has come to an end. Governor Syed Ata Hasnain administered the oath of office at a ceremony held at Lok Bhavan. Several senior leaders from the BJP and JD(U) attended the swearing-in ceremony.
This marks a major shift in Bihar’s political landscape, as the BJP has taken direct control of the government for the first time. A day earlier, after taking oath as a Rajya Sabha MP, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar dissolved his cabinet and resigned as Chief Minister.
Samrat Chaudhary had served as Deputy Chief Minister in the previous government, where he handled the crucial Home Department. Having joined the BJP in 2017, he was elected leader of the BJP legislative party on Tuesday. His elevation carries significant caste dynamics in Bihar’s complex political scenario.
Samrat Chaudhary is the second leader from the influential Koeri community to become Chief Minister. Earlier, Satish Prasad Singh held the post for just five days in 1968 before his government collapsed after the Congress withdrew support. Chaudhary has now equalled the record of Karpoori Thakur by serving both as Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Minister.
The rise of 57-year-old Samrat Chaudhary in state politics has been remarkable. In 1999, he first became a minister in the government of Rabri Devi. He was inducted into the cabinet after his parents joined the RJD from the Samata Party. However, controversy over his age led Governor Suraj Bhan to remove him from the post.
In 2000, Chaudhary made a strong comeback and became the chief whip of the Rashtriya Janata Dal. In 2014, he left the RJD and briefly worked under Jitan Ram Manjhi before quitting again after Nitish Kumar returned to power.
After joining the BJP in 2017, his political career reached new heights. Backed by Koeri-OBC support, he rose rapidly from state vice president to party chief and emerged as a prominent face in Bihar politics. Known as a strong critic of Nitish Kumar, Samrat had vowed to unseat him.
After being appointed Deputy Chief Minister in 2024, he took charge of the key Home Department and quickly consolidated power. His electoral victory from Tarapur and the support of Amit Shah further strengthened his position in the Hindi heartland.
