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Samrat Choudhary chosen to become new Bihar chief minister
Samrat Choudhary was announced as the successor just hours after Nitish Kumar resigned as Bihar chief minister,bringing to a close a 2-decades political innings
Samrat Choudhary is set to become the next chief minister of Bihar after being elected leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party legislature party on Tuesday, marking a historic shift as the BJP takes direct charge of the state government for the first time.
The decision was finalised at a meeting held in the presence of central observer Shivraj Singh Chouhan and later endorsed by the NDA lawmakers in the state. The proposal to name Choudhary was moved by Vijay Kumar Sinha and seconded by Renu Devi, Mangal Pandey, Dilip Jaiswal.
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The new chief minister is expected to meet the Governor to stake claim to form the government on Tuesday, with the swearing-in ceremony likely on April 15 at Lok Bhawan.
Soon after being chosen as leader of the BJP legislature party, Samrat Choudhary expressed gratitude to the party leadership in a post on X, calling the role a “sacred opportunity” to serve the people of Bihar.
“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 said.
He added that he would work with “dedication, commitment, and integrity” and remain committed to taking Bihar to “new heights of development, good governance, and prosperity” under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Nitin Nabin.
End of Nitish Kumar era
The announcement comes just hours after Nitish Kumar resigned as chief minister, bringing to a close a political innings that spanned nearly two decades. His exit follows his recent move to the Rajya Sabha.
An emotional Nitish Kumar chaired his final Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, reflecting on his 20-year tenure and the pace of development achieved under his leadership. He congratulated the incoming government and assured full cooperation and guidance in the future.
The meeting turned into a farewell, with ministers and officials expressing gratitude for his leadership. “It was an emotional moment for all of us,” said senior leaders, while others described him as a guiding force whose contribution would be remembered by the people of Bihar.
After the meeting, Kumar posed for a group photograph with his council of ministers and officials before returning to his official residence. He is scheduled to meet the Governor to formally submit his resignation.
Even as he exits state politics, Nitish Kumar is expected to remain active in public life as a member of the Rajya Sabha, continuing to contribute to Bihar’s development from the national stage.
A defining political legacy
Nitish Kumar’s exit marks the end of an era in Bihar politics. A product of the JP Movement, he rose from student activism to become one of the state’s most enduring leaders. Over the years, he took oath as Chief Minister multiple times and remained central to Bihar’s political landscape through shifting alliances.
He is often credited with transforming Bihar's governance narrative since 2005 - focusing on roads, electricity, law and order, education, and women-led development. Initiatives such as improving infrastructure and expanding welfare schemes helped reposition Bihar as an aspirational state after years of stagnation.
Despite political realignments over the years, Kumar retained his position as a pivotal leader, often shaping emerging as the kingmaker in different alliances
NDA’s new phase
With Samrat Choudhary taking the reins, the NDA enters a new phase in Bihar politics, with the BJP assuming the leadership role within the coalition. Allies, including the Janata Dal (United), remain part of the government as discussions continue over cabinet formation and power-sharing arrangements.
The NDA holds a comfortable majority in the 243-member Assembly, ensuring stability for the incoming government.
