Samrat Choudhary to be sworn in as Bihar CM today; NDA heavyweights to attend

Bihar is set for a major political transition as the BJP-led NDA forms a new government, with Samrat Choudhary to be sworn in as the state’s 24th chief minister on Wednesday.

The swearing-in marks a historic moment, as it will be the first time the BJP holds the chief minister’s post in Bihar. The change comes after Nitish Kumar stepped down on Tuesday following his elevation to the Rajya Sabha, bringing the curtain down on a long and defining tenure in state politics.

Choudhary, who served as deputy chief minister, was unanimously chosen as leader of the NDA legislative party. He later met Governor Syed Ata Hasnain to stake claim to form the government.

Oath ceremony at Lok Bhavan

The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Lok Bhavan at 10:50 am, where Governor Hasnain will administer the oath of office.

Alongside the chief minister, two deputy chief ministers will also be sworn in — Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav.

Sources indicate that the initial cabinet will be deliberately small, with only three members taking oath. A broader cabinet expansion is expected next month, leaving several ministerial positions vacant for now.

NDA backs leadership shift

The leadership transition was formalised at an NDA legislators’ meeting, where Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar announced unanimous support for Choudhary.

Earlier, BJP MLAs had elected him as their legislative party leader in the presence of senior leaders, including central observer Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Choudhary thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their trust, pledging to push both development and the party’s ideological agenda in the state.

Nitish Kumar’s exit marks end of an era

Before stepping down, Nitish Kumar paid tribute to B R Ambedkar and chaired a final cabinet meeting. He later submitted his resignation to the Governor and assured full support to the incoming government.

Having served as chief minister multiple times since 2005, Kumar leaves behind a long political legacy, even as he transitions to a new role in national politics.

Opposition attacks and political undertones

The change in leadership has drawn sharp reactions from the opposition. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav took a swipe at Choudhary, calling him a “product of Lalu ji’s school” and questioning the NDA’s mandate, pointing out that elections were fought under Nitish Kumar’s leadership.

Despite the criticism, BJP leaders and workers have hailed the development as a landmark moment, signalling the party’s growing dominance in Bihar.

Choudhary’s rise — from his early days in the RJD to joining the BJP in 2017 and now taking the top post — reflects a significant political journey, one that now places him at the centre of Bihar’s evolving power dynamics.