[Saket Saurabh Pandey,Political Advisor & Analysts,SPACS,New Delhi]
Samrat Choudhary, born on November 16, 1968, in Lakhanpur village of Munger district, Bihar, has emerged as a prominent figure in the state’s political landscape. Hailing from a family deeply rooted in politics, his father, Shakuni Choudhary, has served as both an MLA and MP, while his mother, Parvati Devi, was an MLA from Tarapur constituency. This lineage provided Samrat with a robust foundation, propelling him into the political arena at a young age.
A Leader Rooted in Heritage: Samrat Choudhary’s Political Odyssey
Choudhary’s political journey commenced in 1990 when he joined the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) under the leadership of Lalu Prasad Yadav. His dedication and leadership skills were soon recognized, leading to his appointment as the Minister of Agriculture in the Rabri Devi government on May 19, 1999. At that time, he oversaw the Measurements and Horticulture departments. However, his tenure was short-lived due to controversies surrounding his age, leading to his removal from the ministry.
Undeterred by this setback, Choudhary contested the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections from the Parbatta constituency in 2000 and secured a victory. He replicated this success in the 2010 elections, reinforcing his position as a significant player in Bihar’s politics. In 2010, he was appointed as the Chief Whip of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, further solidifying his leadership credentials.
In 2014, Choudhary’s political trajectory took a notable turn when he was appointed as the Minister of Urban Development and Housing in the Jitan Ram Manjhi government. This period was marked by his efforts to enhance urban infrastructure and housing facilities in Bihar. His tenure, however, was brief, ending in February 2015.
Choudhary’s association with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) began in 2018 when he was appointed as the Vice President of the BJP’s Bihar unit. This move was significant, as it aligned him with a party seeking to expand its influence among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Bihar. Choudhary, belonging to the Koeri caste, became an instrumental figure in this strategy.
In the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, Choudhary was designated as a star campaigner for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). His campaign strategies and outreach played a pivotal role in consolidating the NDA’s support base among the OBCs, contributing to their electoral success.
The year 2021 saw Choudhary’s return to the state cabinet as the Minister of Panchayati Raj in Nitish Kumar’s expanded cabinet. His tenure was marked by initiatives aimed at strengthening local governance structures and promoting rural development. However, it was not without controversies, including a notable spat with the Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Vijay Kumar Sinha, which he later resolved by apologizing.
In March 2023, Choudhary’s stature within the BJP rose significantly when he was appointed as the President of the party’s Bihar unit. This appointment underscored the BJP’s strategy to project a strong OBC leader in the state, positioning Choudhary as a counterbalance to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Choudhary’s political acumen and leadership were further recognized in January 2024 when he was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar alongside Vijay Kumar Sinha under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership. In this capacity, he was entrusted with several key departments, including Finance, Health, Commercial Taxes, Urban Development and Housing, Sports, Panchayati Raj, Industry, Animal and Fisheries Resources, and Planning.
One of his significant achievements as Deputy Chief Minister was presenting a ₹2.79 lakh crore budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, the largest in Bihar’s history. He announced a growth rate of 10.64% for the state and highlighted that 2.5 crore people had risen above the poverty line in recent years. Additionally, he sanctioned the creation of 30,547 new posts in various government departments, aligning with the NDA’s commitment to job creation.
However, Choudhary’s tenure as the BJP’s state president was not without challenges. In July 2024, following an analysis of the party’s performance in the Lok Sabha elections, he was replaced by Dilip Kumar Jaiswal. The decision was attributed to the party’s assessment that Choudhary had been unable to effectively mobilize the Kushwaha caste vote in favor of the BJP. Despite this, he continued to serve as the Deputy Chief Minister, maintaining his influence in the state’s governance.
Throughout his career, Choudhary has been known for his assertive and sometimes controversial statements. In June 2023, he drew national attention by comparing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s bearded appearance to that of Osama bin Laden, a remark that sparked widespread debate.
Samrat Choudhary: A Trailblazer in Bihar’s Political Transformation
In summary, Samrat Choudhary’s political journey reflects a blend of strategic acumen, leadership, and adaptability. From his early days in the RJD to his current role as Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, he has navigated the complexities of the state’s politics with a focus on development and governance. His tenure has been marked by significant achievements, including substantial budget allocations and job creation initiatives, positioning him as a key figure in Bihar’s political landscape.