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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.

Mumbai 2023 Learjet crash probe in final stages

Mumbai: In a significant development post-Baramati Learjet 45 crash on Jan. 28, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said that the probe into a disaster involving a similar aircraft at the Mumbai Airport on Sep. 14, 2023, is now in the final stages.

 

The AAIB statement came amid embarrassing questions after the Baramati incident in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party President Ajit Pawar and four others were killed. The small aircraft in both crashes were owned by VSR Ventures Pvt. Ltd.

 

Mumbai Crash

On the Mumbai crash, the AAIB said that a Learjet 45 aircraft (Reg. No. VT-DBL) took off from Visakhapatnam on Sep. 14, 2023, but nosedived, veered off the runway at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and crashed in heavy rains and poor visibility conditions.

 

“The aircraft had earlier taken-off from Visakhapatnam Airport and while landing at Mumbai airport, the aircraft continuously drifted to the right of Runway 27 and crash landed at the shoulder of the intersection of Taxiway W and N,” said the AAIB today on that incident.

 

The 8 persons aboard were identified as the pilot Capt. Sunil, and Capt. Neil, the First Officer, plus passengers and 2 crew Dhruv Kotak, K. K. Krishnadas, Aakarsh Shethi, Arul Sali, Lars Sorensen from Denmark and Kamakshi.

 

“The co-pilot suffered serious injury whereas the pilot-in-command and 6 passengers suffered minor injuries. The co-pilot could not be interviewed for a long time since he was in bad shape. The aircraft was destroyed during the accident,” it said.

 

Thereafter, the probe team prepared a detailed preliminary report on the disaster including the initial outcome of the flight recorders and published it on the AAIB website.

 

“The investigators analyzed all the evidence and other documents. The investigation is in final stages. The investigation team is trying their best to finalise the report on top priority,” the AAIB said, without mentioning the causes of the tragedy or fixing responsibility on anyone.


Opposition Ruckus

The AAIB’s affirmation came as the Maharashtra Opposition Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) and other leaders raised suspicions over the Jan. 28 Baramati crash.

 

SS (UBT) Rajya Sabha Member Sanjay Raut even hinted at a conspiracy by drawing parallels with the death of Justice B. H. Loya (Dec. 2014) in Nagpur, while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also smelt intrigue seeking a Supreme Court-monitored probe, though NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar declared that it was ‘an accident’.

 

Raut alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party had threatened the late Ajit Pawar with files related to the purported irrigation mega-scam after he tried to become cosy with the NCP (SP), and was open to a merger with his party, as asserted by Sharad Pawar.

 

“Something had happened behind the curtains… Ajitdada was keen for a reconciliation (with Sharad Pawar) after which the BJP warned him. Ajitdada responded to those threats and barely 10 days later, was killed mysteriously in the plane crash,” claimed Raut.

 

Comparing it with Justice Loya’s death, Raut cautioned that “questions are bound to be raised on Ajit Pawar’s death”, and the manner in which a tall leader like him was killed must be probed in the light of facts coming to light. “It think there is something dubious. Even his own (NCP) people are finding it suspicious,” he said.

 

Congress Legislature Party Leader Vijay Wadettiwar contended that “80 pc of the people in the state believe there is something fishy going on” in the whole matter.

 

“A CID probe will not solve anything… Why was the pilot changed at the last minute? How did negligence happen in the case of such a big leader... What does it point to… The NCP leaders should demand a proper investigation from the PM Narendra Modi. Even before Ajitdada's funeral rites were completed, everyone rushed to grab power,” said Wadettiwar, without taking any names.

 

Interestingly, Ajit Pawar’s close aide and MLC Amol Mitkari questioned the last-moment change of pilot, how the number of persons allegedly 6 during take-off changed to five after the crash landing, though the documents were safe, the passengers perished.

 

BJP trashes allegations

Ace criminal lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, a BJP Rajya Sabha Member, downplayed all allegations, terming them as ‘false’.

 

“It's shameful that they are doing such petty politics on the departed soul. We all know it was an accident. It is a pure accident, and I don't think there is any conspiracy in it," Nikam declared.

 

The Baramati Police Station has lodged an ADR into the plane crash and transferred it to the Pune CID for further probe, while the DGCA and AAIB are also investigating the crash separately.


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