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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.

Fadnavis tightens grip

Mumbai: Even as the Maratha quota stir in Mumbai ended on Tuesday and leader of the stir Manoj Jarange-Patil yet again portrayed as a hero, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has emerged victorious and has actually tightened his grip on the state.


“From the beginning we were ready for implementation of records of Hyderabad gazetteer. I’m happy that after deliberations with the cabinet sub-committee the activists finally agreed to proposals put forth by the committee. The decision has preserved the social fabric of Maharashtra from eroding,” Fadnavis said while expressing satisfaction over the way the agitation in Mumbai ended today. He also gave credit to the cabinet sub-committee and both the Deputy Chief Ministers while enumerating various measures the Mahayuti governments have taken for the Maratha community.


“The decision to will help the needy and eligible individuals from Maratha community while giving confidence to those from the OBC communities that injustice is not being done to them,” the CM said while elaborating the real meaning of the decisions made today.


“We don’t have any grudges for the state government now,” Jarange-Patil said as he ended his indefinite fast by consuming lemon water at the hands of Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, the head of the cabinet sub-committee on Maratha quota. This was the most dramatic moment in the whole episode. The agitators were cursing CM Fadnavis over his caste, his physical appearance, his family-members and their hooliganism made the Mumbaikars believe that the doomsday is near. The condition rapidly transformed from that moment on and hardly within half a day the agitation in Mumbai was winded up. Vikhe-Patil gave the credit for this to CM Fadnavis.


As members of the team in CMO put it, the CM was very confident and firm since the very beginning of the agitation. Firstly, while expressing the government’s desire to hold talks with the agitators, he let them come to the heart of Mumbai without official discussing a word with them. They came to the main business district of Mumbai, which was a dream for most of them. It emboldened the activists as they felt it was their success. Then for next couple of days they realized they won’t be able to survive in Mumbai much without the covert support of the administration. This had two reactions, while the causal participants of the agitation roamed around freely across the city showing their perceived strength, the leaders of the agitation started seeking communication channels for negotiations.


At this point the CM made it clear that the solution will be within the legal framework. He also made clear the shortcomings of the demands being raised by the activists. The solution was already almost ready with the government by this point of time. Then the courts and the pressure of judiciary came handy to make the activists agree to the pre-decided proposals. This was a solution that made everybody happy.


The CM was ‘Mr Cool’ in his conduct and appearance during the whole episode. “There people who were working hard. There were some who were pretending to work hard and there were many others who remained absolutely clueless for the entire period,” said a senior CMO associate while describing the scenario at the CMO during the whole episode. Such a situation is possible only when the leader as complete control over the situation and a keen sense as to when and how a situation can escalate, the official added.


As political commentator Bhau Torsekar puts it, the stir is Mumbai has created the effect on the minds of common people of the MMR region which can be compared to those of the Shaheen bag and Farmers’ agitation created in Delhi. Torsekar blames adverse effects of these agitations for the devastating defeat of the AAP in Delhi and says that one should not be surprised if similar results are seen in the elections of BMC and other Municipal Corporations of the MMR region.


Also, the fact that DCM Eknath Shinde, who was hailed for being able to successfully managing the previous agitation of Jarange and not letting them enter Mumbai, didn’t have much role to play this time around. That is yet another aspect which underlined Fadnavis’ tightened grip on the state politics.

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