Patna: Senior BJP leader Samrat Choudhary on Wednesday took oath as the state’s Chief Minister, becoming the first leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party to occupy the top post in the state.
Choudhary’s swearing-in marks a significant turning point in Bihar’s political landscape, ending decades of leadership dominated by regional parties and coalition arrangements. His elevation comes a day after Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar resigned from the Chief Minister’s post, paving the way for a BJP-led government. Bijendra Prasad Yadav and Vijay Kumar Chaudhary were also sworn in as Bihar’s deputy chief ministers.
Nitish Kumar, one of Bihar’s longest-serving chief ministers, stepped down after being elected to the Rajya Sabha. Before resigning, he chaired his final cabinet meeting and recommended dissolution of the cabinet, signalling the end of his long tenure in state politics. Choudhary, who was serving as Deputy Chief Minister, was earlier elected leader of the BJP legislative party at an NDA meeting in Patna. His selection was subsequently endorsed by alliance partners, clearing the path for his appointment as Chief Minister.
The transition also reflects the BJP’s growing political footprint in Bihar, where it had previously played a key role in coalition governments but never held the post independently.
In his initial remarks, Choudhary expressed gratitude to the party leadership and vowed to serve the people of Bihar with dedication, promising to work towards development, governance, and prosperity in the state. “I express my heartfelt gratitude to the central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party for reposing their trust in me… This is not merely a position for me, but a sacred opportunity to serve the people of Bihar,” he wrote on X.
The new government is expected to take shape with support from NDA allies, even as the leadership change signals a broader realignment in Bihar’s political dynamics following Nitish Kumar’s exit from state leadership.
