Patna, April 14 (BiharTimes): In a significant political transition that could reshape Bihar's governance landscape, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has been elected leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) legislature party and is set to take oath as the next Chief Minister on Wednesday.
The development follows the resignation of long-serving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who recently moved to the Rajya Sabha, marking the end of an era in Bihar politics and the beginning of a new leadership phase under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Choudhary's elevation is historic, as he is poised to become the first BJP leader to assume the Chief Minister's office in Bihar. His name was proposed by Nitish Kumar himself during the NDA legislature party meeting, signaling a smooth and consensual leadership transition within the alliance.
Soon after being elected, Choudhary met Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd) at Lok Bhavan and formally staked claim to form the new government. Senior NDA leaders, including Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, were present during the developments, underscoring the significance of the leadership change.
Union Minister Nityanand Rai confirmed that Choudhary was unanimously chosen as the NDA legislature party leader, while senior Bihar minister Ram Kripal Yadav announced that the swearing-in ceremony will take place on Wednesday.
Expressing gratitude, Choudhary described the responsibility as a “sacred opportunity” to serve Bihar. In a statement, he emphasized continuity in governance and development, stating that the “caravan of Bihar's progress will move forward with renewed energy.”
He credited both Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Developed India and Nitish Kumar’s governance model as guiding forces for the state's future. “Together, these visions will ensure a prosperous Bihar and a developed India,” he said.
Choudhary also acknowledged Nitish Kumar's mentorship, noting that he learned key aspects of governance and democratic functioning under his leadership.
With over three decades in public life and a long association with the BJP since 2015, Choudhary's rise reflects both political experience and the party's growing footprint in Bihar's political structure.
As Bihar prepares for a new Chief Minister, all eyes are now on the composition of the new cabinet and the policy direction the incoming government will adopt. The transition is being viewed as a crucial moment that could shape the state's developmental trajectory in the coming years.
