top of page

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.

Stalemate continues

Jarange gets yet another day’s extension; issues ultimatum till Sunday morning as talks fail

Mumbai: The stalemate continued over the Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil’s indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan, for reservation to Maratha community from OBC quota, on as the talks between the agitators and the high power committee under Justice (Retired) Sandeep Shinde failed on Saturday. While state government reiterated its willingness to resolve the issue within constitutional framework, Jarange-Patil gave an ultimatum till Sunday Morning to the government to announce the decision in favour of the Maratha quota activists.


Meanwhile, the Mumbai police extended the permission granted to Jarage-Patil to continue his agitation at Azad Maidan for yet another day even as the crowds continued to swell in South Mumbai leading to traffic disruptions in South and Central Mumbai.


In the morning, the state government extended the tenure of the lineage committees constituted under the Tahasildars at Taluka Levels till June 30, 2026. Social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat made the announcement in this regard. “The GR has been issued to extend the tenure of the committees that are primarily formed on January 25, 2024 to give Kunbi, Kunbi-Maratha caste certificates and caste validations certificates to the eligible individuals,” the minister said. The tenure of the committees had expired on June 30, 2025. After the high powered committee under Justice (Retired) Sandeep Shinde was given an extension on Friday, this committee too was given an extension in wake of Jarage-Patil’s agitation as a token of positive efforts from the state government.


Sub-committee meets

The cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation headed by water resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil too held a meeting on Saturday and after the meeting the minister said that the committee has taken a few decisions, which will be communicated to Jarange-Patil. Accordingly, Sandeep Shinde along with the divisional commissioner met Jarange-Patil at Azad Maidan and tried to negotiate mutually acceptable way out of the stalemate. The delegation primarily sought six months’ time to resolve the legal tangle around the issue and implement the solutions. Jarange-Patil, however, was firm that that the government should issue a resolution proclaiming that all Marathas are Kunbis by Sunday morning. Such a resolution will help Marathas get reservation under OBC quota as Kunbis fall under the OBC category.


Traffic advisory

Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Mumbai traffic police issued an advisory asking people not to take the Eastern Freeway, which was still witnessing gridlocks, as Maratha protesters used the route to reach Azad Maidan, the venue of Jarange-Patil’s protest.


On Friday, the freeway was completely out of bounds for citizens as traffic was blocked, leading to a cascading effect on the Eastern Express Highway and the Atal Setu, which also witnessed traffic snarls.


There were massive traffic jams at the north end of the freeway in Chembur as well, leading the police to close down a few roads to stop protesters from taking the freeway.


Jarange-Patil, who began an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan on Friday morning over his demand for quota benefits for the Maratha community, had said earlier that he “would not back down this time”. “We will not leave Mumbai until our demands are met,” he had asserted.


"We will not decide to merely please someone, which will have a backlash in future, but will find a solution within the constitutional framework. These are decisions taken by me and Eknath Shinde. I gave the reservation first. The state government also strengthened the Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation so much that we have created one and a half lakh entrepreneurs. We have been able to create Maratha youth who are not job seekers but job providers."

Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister

Comments

bottom of page