New CM Samrat Choudhary and former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pose for a picture with State Governor Syed Ata Hasnain as Kumar submits his resignation to Governor, at Lok Bhavan in Patna on Tuesday. State Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan, State Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, JD (U) National Working President Sanjay Kumar Jha also present. | Photo Credit: ANI

A major political transition is underway in Bihar as Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, the OBC face of the BJP, is set to replace Nitish Kumar — who quit as Chief Minister on Tuesday, marking an end to an unparalleled tenure spanning over two-decades in Patna.

Chaudhary, the newly-elected leader of the BJP Legislative party in Bihar, will take over as Bihar Chief Minister on Wednesday. He was unanimously elected the leader of the NDA legislative party, paving the way for him to become the first BJP CM of Bihar, said Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in Patna.

Choudhary, 57, belongs to Koeri-Kushwaha caste which accounts for 4.2 per cent of Bihar’s population. Koeris are said to be influential in the state’s caste arithmetic outside Yadavs in the OBC blocs. Together with Kurmis, which is the caste of Nitish Kumar, Koeri are described as “Luv-Kush” alliance by political observers.

Kumar has now shifted to Delhi and is a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Choudhary expressed his gratitude to the central leadership of the BJP for giving him an opportunity to serve people of Bihar and vowed to fulfil their dreams and win their trust.

“I express my heartfelt gratitude to the central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party for reposing their trust in me by assigning the responsibility of Leader of the BJP Bihar Legislative Party. This is not merely a position for me, but a sacred opportunity to serve the people of Bihar, to fulfill their trust and dreams. I pledge to live up to the expectations of one and all with complete dedication, commitment, and integrity,” he posted on X.

“Under the able leadership of the country’s esteemed Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji and the guidance of the honorable National President Shri @NitinNabin ji, I will remain continuously committed to taking Bihar to new heights of development, good governance, and prosperity. Your affection, blessings, and cooperation are my greatest strength. Jai Bihar, Jai Bharat!” he added.

He also expressed gratitude towards former CM Nitish Kumar as he stated that the JDU veteran “taught a lot of things — how the government is run, how good governance will be established in Bihar and what is good for democracy in Bihar”.

“..The vision of Viksit Bharat of PM Modi and that of prosperous Bihar by Nitish Kumar — together we will make Bihar prosperous and make the country developed,” he added.

Born in a politically influential family in Munger district of Bihar on November 16, 1968, Choudhary began his career with the Rashtriya Janata Dal and even served as a minister during the former Chief Minister Rabri Devi’s tenure. He, however, joined the BJP in 2018 — a move politically rewarding since his graph went up within the party.

A year later, he became deputy to state BJP president Nityanand Rai, and was subsequently appointed Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council. Choudhary became BJP’s Bihar state president in 2023.

Published on April 14, 2026