Senior BJP leader Samrat Choudhary on Wednesday took oath as the 21st Chief Minister of Bihar, marking a significant political shift in the state and bringing an end to Nitish Kumar’s long-standing tenure at the helm.
Choudhary was administered the oath of office by the Governor Syed Ata Hasnain at a ceremony in Raj Bhavan, attended by top BJP leaders and alliance partners. His elevation comes amid a major realignment in Bihar’s political landscape, with the BJP moving to take direct charge of the government for the first time.
JDU supremo Nitish Kumar, now a Rajya Sabha MP, stepped down as Chief Minister on Tuesday after dissolving his Cabinet. In the outgoing government, Choudhary had served as Deputy Chief Minister and held the crucial home portfolio, positioning him as a key figure in the administration.
Choudhary, who joined the BJP in 2017, was elected leader of the BJP legislative party on Tuesday.
His elevation also carries caste significance in Bihar’s complex political landscape. Choudhary becomes only the second leader from the influential Koeri community to occupy the Chief Minister’s post. The first was Satish Prasad Singh, whose tenure in 1968 lasted just five days after his coalition government collapsed following the Congress withdrawing support.
Choudhary also joins the ranks of Bharat Ratna awardee Karpoori Thakur as one of the few leaders in Bihar to have held both the posts of deputy chief minister and chief minister. However, unlike Choudhary’s swift elevation, Thakur had to wait nearly two years after serving as deputy chief minister in 1967 before assuming the top post in 1970.
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Published By:
Karishma Saurabh Kalita
Published On:
Apr 15, 2026 10:57 IST
