Why Did It Take So Long For The BJP To Have A Chief Minister In Bihar? Samrat Choudhary To Take Oath Tomorrow

Bihar is set for a major political change as BJP leader Samrat Choudhary has been unanimously elected as the leader of the BJP Legislature Party. He is now all set to take oath as the next Chief Minister of Bihar at 11 am on April 15.

This development comes soon after Nitish Kumar stepped down from the post of Chief Minister, marking the end of his long tenure. With this transition, the BJP is preparing to take full leadership of the state government.

BJP Emerges as the Largest Party

The Bharatiya Janata Party currently holds 89 seats in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, making it the single largest party. This strong position helped pave the way for Samrat Choudhary's elevation to the top post.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was appointed as the central observer for the selection process, confirmed that Choudhary was chosen unanimously as the leader of the BJP Legislature Party.

Who is Samrat Choudhary?

Samrat Choudhary is a prominent BJP leader and MLA from the Tarapur Assembly constituency in Munger district. He won the 2025 Assembly elections with a significant margin, securing over 1.22 lakh votes.

He belongs to the Koeri (Kushwaha) community, an influential OBC group in Bihar politics. His social and political background makes him an important figure in the BJP's strategy in the state.

Born on November 16, 1968, in Lakhanpur village, Choudhary comes from a political family. His father, Shakuni Choudhary, was a well-known leader who served multiple terms as MLA and MP, while his mother, Parvati Devi, was also an MLA.

His Political Journey

Samrat Choudhary began his political career in the 1990s and was initially associated with Lalu Prasad Yadav's camp. In 1999, he became Agriculture Minister in the Rabri Devi government at a relatively young age.

He was first elected as an MLA in 2000 and later returned to the Assembly in 2010, where he served as the Chief Whip of the opposition. In 2014, he parted ways with the RJD and joined the government led by Jitan Ram Manjhi as Urban Development Minister.

Choudhary formally joined the BJP in 2017 and quickly rose through the ranks. He became the state vice president in 2018, was elected to the Legislative Council in 2020, and later served as Leader of the Opposition in 2022.

In 2023, he was appointed as the Bihar BJP president, further strengthening his position within the party.

Rise to Power and Key Roles

In January 2024, Samrat Choudhary became the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. When the NDA returned to power in November 2025, he retained his position and was also given the important Home portfolio.

Known for his strong and assertive political style, Choudhary once took a public vow that he would not remove his turban until Nitish Kumar stepped down as Chief Minister. He fulfilled this vow in July 2024 after performing a ritual in Ayodhya.

As Samrat Choudhary prepares to take charge as Chief Minister, expectations are high for a new direction in Bihar's governance. His experience in administration and strong political background are expected to play a key role in shaping the state's future.

The BJP leadership has indicated that development, law and order, and welfare policies will remain top priorities under his leadership.

The change in leadership marks a significant turning point in Bihar politics. With Samrat Choudhary at the helm, the state is entering a new phase where BJP takes a more central role in governance.

An Overview Why BJP Couldn't Have A CM In Bihar Yet?

For many years, the BJP could not have its own Chief Minister in Bihar mainly because it depended on strong regional allies, especially Nitish Kumar and his party JD(U), which had a larger political base and a more established leadership in the state. Bihar's politics has long been shaped by caste equations and regional loyalties, where leaders like Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav dominated voter support across key communities.

The BJP, despite being influential, often played the role of a junior partner in alliances to maintain stability and electoral success, choosing to support Nitish Kumar as Chief Minister to keep the coalition intact.

However, the situation has now changed. With Nitish Kumar resigning from the post and moving away from active state leadership, and the BJP emerging as the single largest party, the party has finally taken the lead.

It has announced Samrat Choudhary as the new Chief Minister of Bihar, marking a significant political shift and the first time the BJP is set to lead the state government on its own terms.