Patna (Gurpreet Singh): In a historic political shift, Samrat Choudhary was unanimously elected as the leader of the BJP and NDA legislature parties on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. This decision paves the way for him to become the first-ever Chief Minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party in Bihar, succeeding veteran leader Nitish Kumar, who stepped down earlier in the day to transition into national politics.
The election took place at the BJP state headquarters in Patna under the supervision of Union Minister and central observer Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Following his election, Choudhary met with Governor Syed Ata Hasnain at Raj Bhavan to stake his claim to form the new government.
Key Details of the Transition:
- Resignation of Nitish Kumar: Bihar’s longest-serving Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, submitted his resignation after a final cabinet meeting today. His exit follows his recent election to the Rajya Sabha, where he took the oath of office on April 11, 2026.
- First BJP-Led Government: Although the BJP has been a long-term coalition partner in Bihar, this marks the first time a member of the saffron party will hold the top executive post. The BJP is currently the single largest party in the 243-member Assembly with 89 seats.
- Oath-Taking Ceremony: Samrat Choudhary is scheduled to take the oath of office as Chief Minister on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the ceremony at Lok Bhawan.
- Cabinet Composition: Reports suggest that the new government will include two Deputy Chief Ministers from the Janata Dal (United) to maintain coalition stability. Most current ministers are expected to be retained in the new cabinet.
Nitish Kumar, who served a record ten terms as Chief Minister, expressed his full cooperation and guidance for the incoming administration, stating on X that he has “done a lot of work for the people of Bihar” and is confident the state will reach new heights under Choudhary’s leadership.
