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By:

Akhilesh Sinha

25 June 2025 at 2:53:54 pm

From legacy to leadership

Samrat Choudhary's ascent reflects legacy, caste dynamics, and political shifts Patna:  The rise of Samrat Choudhary in Bihar's political landscape is not merely the story of an individual's success, but a reflection of a long political tradition, evolving social equations, and shifting power dynamics over time. Following his election as the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party's legislative wing, his elevation to the chief minister's office appears almost certain, which is marking a decisive...

From legacy to leadership

Samrat Choudhary's ascent reflects legacy, caste dynamics, and political shifts Patna:  The rise of Samrat Choudhary in Bihar's political landscape is not merely the story of an individual's success, but a reflection of a long political tradition, evolving social equations, and shifting power dynamics over time. Following his election as the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party's legislative wing, his elevation to the chief minister's office appears almost certain, which is marking a decisive milestone in a political journey spanning more than three and half decades. Over the years, his political journey traversed multiple parties, including the Congress, Samata Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Janata Dal (United), and Hindustani Awam Morcha. His name did surface in a high-profile criminal case in 1995, though he was later acquitted due to lack of evidence. Samrat Choudhary's mother Parvati Devi was also politically active and was elected as an MLA from Tarapur in a 1998 by-election. Among his siblings, Rohit Choudhary is associated with the JD(U) and is active in the education sector, while Dharmendra Choudhary is engaged in social work. His wife, Mamta Kumari, has also been actively involved during election campaigns. The family includes a son Pranay and a daughter Charu Priya. Choudhary entered active politics in 1990, beginning his career with the RJD. In 1999, he became Agriculture Minister in the Rabri Devi government, though his appointment was mired in controversy over his age, eventually forcing him to step down. He later parted ways with the RJD, moved to the JD(U), and ultimately joined the BJP. Since 2018, his stature within the BJP has steadily grown, culminating in his appointment as the party's Bihar state president in 2022. Controversy Man With the beginning of his new innings in the BJP, Choudhary once again found himself in the spotlight, this time over questions surrounding his educational qualifications. Allegations regarding the validity of the degree mentioned in his election affidavit became part of political discourse. The opposition, particularly Prashant Kishor, raised the issue forcefully during the elections. However, the controversy failed to gain substantive traction and remained confined to political rhetoric, with no significant impact on electoral outcomes. Hailing from the Tarapur region of Munger district, Choudhary's identity is deeply rooted in this region. Historically influential, the region has provided a strong social and political base for both him and his family. Belonging to the Kushwaha (Koeri) community, he represents a crucial social base in Bihar's caste equations. This makes his role significant in the 'Lav-Kush' (Kurmi-Koeri) political dynamic that has shaped the state's politics for decades. Sharp Turns Choudhary's political journey has been marked by sharp turns and contradictions. At one stage, he was among the fiercest critics of Nitish Kumar, even declaring that he would not remove his traditional 'Muraitha' (a kind of turban) until Kumar was unseated from power. Yet, as political equations shifted, Choudhary not only consolidated his position within the BJP but also emerged as a key figure in power-sharing arrangements with Nitish Kumar. After 2020, when Sushil Kumar Modi was moved to national politics, new opportunities opened up for Choudhary. He became a member of the Legislative Council, later served as Leader of the Opposition, and eventually rose to become state president. His political stature further expanded when, following Nitish Kumar's return to the NDA, Choudhary was entrusted with the dual roles of Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister, which is an unprecedented move in Bihar's political framework. Despite his rise, controversies have not been entirely absent from his career. Questions regarding his age and educational qualifications surfaced intermittently, though their long-term political impact remained limited. Today, Samrat Choudhary stands at the center of Bihar's political stage. His ascent is not merely the result of personal ambition but the outcome of a deep political legacy, an understanding of social dynamics, and strong organisational acumen. The real test now lies in how he transforms this legacy into effective governance and development. Strengthening law and order and meeting public expectations will be crucial. The people of Bihar are watching closely, and only time will determine how successfully he rises to the occasion.

Bhujbal opposes Maratha GR

Mumbai: In a major development food and civil supplies minister and senior OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal has opposed the government resolution (GR) issued by the state government in order to end the Maratha quota stir in Mumbai on September 2 and said that it should be quashed or modified.


In an 8-page letter written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Bhujbal has sought withdrawal or modification in the GR regarding the implementation of Hyderabad Gazette which may pave way for the Maratha community to get Kunbi (OBC) status.


“I’ve written the letter in my capacity as the founder-president of Akhil Bharatiya Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad. Our lawyers have prepared it. It has mentioned several legal issues in it. I presented the letter to the Chief Minister. He has carefully read it,” Bhujbal told the media after the cabinet meeting on Tuesday.


“The government came out with the GR on September 2. They should have ensured that it doesn’t make any injustice to the over 350 casts included under Other Backward Category (OBC) while issuing the GR. But it appears that the state government has not taken enough precaution. Hence, we are now demanding that it be quashed or corrected. We have given the letter stating so to the government. We shall also move the court on the issues raised in the letter,” Bhujbal added.


He stated that the GR was issued in haste, under the tremendous pressure of one powerful community, without it being put before the Cabinet, not considering any objections and suggestions. While stating that the Maratha community can be educationally and economically backward, Bhujbal added that it certainly is not socially backward community. He further pointed out that since Maratha community has already been granted 10 per cent reservation under SEBC Act of 2024; the GR is rendered unlawful as it permits the Maratha community from getting the benefit of two types of reservations.


The letter has also raised objection over the mention of Maratha community in the GR. “It should have been mentioned as OBC or Kunbi or Maratha-Kunbi or Kunbi-Maratha. But, these words have been avoided,” Bhujbal said.


“Secondly, the various pronouncements of the Supreme Court and the High Courts and the consequent Acts passed by the State Legislature streamlining the qualifications and procedure for obtaining OBC caste certificates have been ignored, and in so far as the Marathas are concerned, the GR dated Sept. 2 makes a departure from the established procedure for caste verification and obtaining caste validity for all castes. Having, two different procedures for the same class i.e. OBCs, amounts to arbitrary action and invidious discrimination which has no nexus to a common object viz. verification and grant of caste certificate,” the letter said.


It also mentioned that one caste could not have been singled out and be given a special treatment for facilitating the issuance of caste certificates to them, leaving out other reserved backward categories.


The letter mentioned that affidavit ‘cannot and ought not to form the basis of caste certificates or belonging to a caste’ – as mentioned in the GR.


“In any case, affidavits to be used to decide or determine the caste of an individual is an unknown concept or the determination of caste in India, especially when it concerns the establishment of facts to secure constitutional protection of reservation in education and employment,” it said.


Meanwhile, state minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who heads the state cabinet sub-committee on Maratha quota, on Tuesday said that decisions regarding reservations are already being implemented and there is no question of a rollback.


Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the cabinet sub-committee, Vikhe Patil said that OBC leader and state Minister Chhagan Bhujbal's "misunderstandings" on the issue would be clarified in person.


Vikhe Patil said, "The committee has kept its doors open for discussions with everyone. The effort is to preserve social harmony in the state, and the sub-committee is working on that line under the chief minister's guidance."


The meeting reviewed the implementation of the decision to issue caste certificates based on the Hyderabad and Satara gazetteers.

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