Samrat Chaudhary Takes Office as Bihar's New Chief Minister
In a historic political shift, Samrat Chaudhary has been sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Bihar, ending Nitish Kumar's long-standing rule. This change marks a pivotal moment for the BJP as they take direct control of the state government for the first time. Chaudhary's rise to power is notable not only for its speed but also for its caste significance, as he becomes the second leader from the influential Koiri community to hold this position. The political landscape of Bihar is set for a transformation as Chaudhary steps into his new role.
| Apr 15, 2026, 11:28 IST
A New Era in Bihar Politics
A significant shift has occurred in Bihar's political landscape as Samrat Chaudhary, a prominent leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was sworn in as the state's 21st Chief Minister on Wednesday. This event marks the official conclusion of Nitish Kumar's nearly two-decade-long governance. The oath-taking ceremony took place in the historic grounds of the Raj Bhavan, where Governor Syed Ata Hasnain administered the oath of office.
During the ceremony at the Raj Bhavan, Governor Syed Ata Hasnain administered the oath to Chaudhary, who was accompanied by senior BJP leaders and coalition partners. His ascension to the chief ministership signifies a major transformation in Bihar's political dynamics, as the BJP is set to take direct control of the government for the first time.
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On Tuesday, Nitish Kumar, the head of the Janata Dal (United) and now a Rajya Sabha MP, resigned from his position after dissolving his cabinet. Previously, Chaudhary served as the Deputy Chief Minister and held the crucial Home Ministry, establishing himself as a key figure in the administration.
Having joined the BJP in 2017, Chaudhary was elected as the leader of the BJP legislative party on Tuesday. His appointment as Chief Minister carries significant caste implications in Bihar's complex political scenario, as he becomes only the second leader from the influential Koiri community to hold this position. The first was Satish Prasad Singh, whose tenure lasted just five days in 1968 before his coalition government collapsed due to Congress withdrawing support.
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Chaudhary now joins the ranks of leaders like the late Karpuri Thakur, who received the Bharat Ratna. Few politicians in Bihar have held both the Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Minister roles. However, unlike Chaudhary's swift rise, Thakur had to wait nearly two years after serving as Deputy Chief Minister in 1967 before becoming Chief Minister in 1970.
Nitish Kumar's era ends in Bihar, BJP's Samrat Chaudhary sworn in as CM
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