Patna: Speculation over Bihar’s next chief minister has intensified, with Samrat Choudhary emerging as a leading contender amid ongoing discussions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
According to party sources, Union home minister Amit Shah is understood to be backing Samrat’s candidature, even as sections within the RSS had earlier expressed reservations. No official confirmation has yet been made by either organisation.
Consensus yet to be formalised
The leadership question is expected to be settled during a meeting of the NDA legislative party, where Nitish Kumar is likely to announce the final decision. Sources indicate that an official announcement could come in the third week of April.
While discussions continue, the RSS is said to have initially favoured a candidate from the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), reflecting its broader social outreach strategy.
Signals from BJP’s campaign strategy
Political observers have pointed to Samrat’s inclusion in the BJP’s list of star campaigners for the West Bengal assembly elections as a sign of his rising prominence. Notably, he was the only leader from Bihar included in the list, while several other senior state leaders were absent.
Leaders such as Mangal Pandey and Nitin Nabin were also named, but Samrat’s positioning has drawn particular attention within party circles.
Rise within BJP ranks
Samrat’s political trajectory has been closely linked to the BJP’s efforts to reshape its leadership structure in Bihar. Party insiders say his elevation was part of a strategy led by Shah to build a strong non-Yadav OBC leadership base within the state.
As BJP state president, Choudhary was seen as assertive in challenging both Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar. He later assumed the role of deputy chief minister and was entrusted with the home portfolio — a significant shift, as the department had remained with Nitish Kumar for nearly two decades.
Caste equations and political calculus
Samrat belongs to the Koeri community, while Nitish Kumar represents the Kurmi community — together forming the “Luv-Kush” social grouping, a key electoral bloc in Bihar politics.
Analysts suggest that projecting Samrat could help the BJP consolidate support among non-Yadav OBC voters, a segment the party has been seeking to expand. The Koeri community, in particular, is considered politically influential among backward castes.
Alternative names and internal reservations
Despite growing momentum around Samrat, sections within the RSS remain cautious. Some leaders have argued for promoting a new EBC face, particularly as the BJP eyes installing its own chief minister in Bihar for the first time.
Among the names being discussed is Sanjeev Chaurasia, who is seen as having strong organisational roots within the Sangh. Chaurasia, an MLA from Digha, has reportedly held a series of meetings with senior BJP leaders in Patna and Delhi in recent weeks, though details remain undisclosed.
A three-time legislator, Chaurasia began his political journey with the ABVP and is regarded within party circles as a grassroots leader with a reputation for simplicity and direct communication.
Decision awaited
With competing considerations — including caste dynamics, organisational loyalty and electoral strategy — still in play, the final decision on Bihar’s next chief minister remains pending.
Party leaders have maintained silence publicly, even as internal consultations continue, with all eyes now on the upcoming NDA legislative meeting where the leadership question is expected to be resolved.
