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.

Standoff intensified

Jarange says won’t even take water; CM says solution only within legal framework

Pic: Bhushan Koyande
Pic: Bhushan Koyande

Mumbai: The three-day old standoff between the Maratha quota agitators and the state government intensified on Sunday as leader of the agitation Manoj Jarange-Patil, who is on a fast unto death at Azad Maidan here, warned the government that he would stop consuming water from Monday onwards if the government fails to meet his demands.


On the other hand, even as government officials huddled trying to find way out of the deadlock Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis categorically said that the resolution of the issue is possible only within the legal framework set by various verdicts given by various courts in this regard.


Jarange-Patil said he will not leave Mumbai until the people of Maratha community get reservation in jobs and educational institutions under the OBC category. He also argued that his demand was constitutionally valid, adding that the government records prove that Kunbis and Marathas belong to the same caste. Jarange threatened to stop consuming water as the government was not accepting their demands.


“From tomorrow, I will stop taking water as the government is not accepting the demands. But I am not going back till the quota demand is met. We will get Marathas reservation under the OBC category no matter what,” he said.


"Our demand is constitutionally valid. The government has records of 58 lakh Marathas as Kunbis. Marathas will come to Mumbai (for the agitation) as and when they get time,” he added.


Jarange wants Marathas to be recognised as Kunbis -- an agrarian caste included in the Other Backward Classes category -- which will make them eligible for reservation in government jobs and education, though OBC leaders are opposed to it.


Government at work

On the other hand, various arms of the state government huddled on Sunday trying to find a way out of the present situation pertaining to the demands raised by the Maratha quota activists. Meetings are being held with sociological as well as legal experts, said Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Minister for Water Resources and head of the cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservations.


The sub-committee discussed the proposal submitted by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil and is seeking legal guidance on the matter. The government is keen to resolve the issue, but the leaders of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) are making contradictory statements solely for political gains, Vikhe Patil said.


Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, meanwhile, made it clear that the resolution of the issue will have to be within the set legal frameworks.


“We are taking the demands being made by Jarange-Patil positively. He has been demanding that all the Marathas be declared as Kunbis. But, there are some decisions of various courts. We will have to respect the decisions. If the demands are being made beyond legal framework and government is expected to take populist decisions, such decisions won’t stand for even a day in the court of law. Making such a decision beyond legal framework would lead to a sense of being cheated among the Maratha community,” the Chief Minister said.


Only legal

Fadnavis clarified that the Mahayuti government has always followed legal procedures and not taken any decision without due diligence to the legal procedures.


“We wanted to give reservation to the Maratha community. Hence the Shinde committee was formed. It was due to the committee that many entries in old documents regarding Kunbi caste came forth. Now, we have handed over the work related to Hyderabad Gazetteer to the committee under Justice Shinde. He will have to follow certain legal procedures before he could recommend anything regarding reservation and the state government does accordingly. But, Jarange-Patil wants the reservation here and now. How can the state government do so?” Fadnavis asked.

Comments

bottom of page