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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.

Western India’s first double bridging heart surgery

Anvay Mulay

Dr. Anvay Mulay, Director of Cardiac Surgery, and his team of advance cardiac surgery team at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, have successfully performed a ground-breaking procedure using the Double Bridging Technique to support the left and right ventricles of three patients suffering from severe heart failure. This marks the first time this advanced technique to been used in Western India, providing a second lease of life to patients who were in dire need of immediate care.


All three patients arrived at the hospital’s heart failure clinic in critical condition, requiring urgent evaluation. Each underwent a thorough assessment, including right heart catheterization, donor-specific antibody testing, and other comprehensive evaluations to determine their eligibility for heart transplant. These tests were crucial, given the severity of their conditions and their individual medical histories.


One of the patients, Rohit (name changed) Mumbai resident, had been battling heart issues for nearly a decade. Earlier this year, his heart function deteriorated to a dangerous level, with only 10% of it still working. The medical team employed the Double Bridging Technique, an uncommon method that uses ventricular assist devices (VADs) to support both sides of the heart—a departure from the usual practice of supporting only one side.


In addition, two other young patients, who had no prior history of heart issues, underwent similar surgeries, further highlighting the uniqueness of these cases.


One patient Amit, 41 (name changed) shared their experience: “I had been struggling with a persistent cough and chest discomfort. After visiting another doctor, I was referred to HN Reliance for advanced care. Several tests revealed that fluid buildup in my chest had significantly weakened my heart’s ability to pump, and I needed a transplant. I’m now recovering and doing much better.”


The other young patient (17) discovered their heart condition unexpectedly through routine blood work. His father Avinash (name changed) recalled, “We had no idea anything was wrong until we got the blood test results. It was a shock, but thanks to the hospital’s guidance, my child received the necessary treatment and is now recovering.”


The evaluation and procedure were led by Dr. Mulay, a highly experienced cardiac surgeon with more than 30 years in the field and over 10,000 successful surgeries. Known for his expertise in handling complex cardiac cases, Dr. Mulay emphasized the importance of acting quickly, stating that even a 24-hour delay could have proven fatal in these cases.


“To stabilize the patients while waiting for donor organs, the medical team initially used a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). However, as their conditions worsened, it became clear that additional support was required. We quickly introduced a right ventricular assist device (RVAD), and in one case, we converted the patient’s extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to a biventricular support system,” said Dr. Anvay Mulay, Director of Cardiac Surgery at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital.

 

About H.N. Reliance Foundation: Located in Girgaon, Mumbai, Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital is a 345-bed, multi-Speciality tertiary care hospital with top level expertise in areas of Cardiac Sciences, Gastroenterology & Hepatobiliary Sciences, Liver Transplant, Nephro-Urology, Neuro Sciences, Oncology, Orthopaedics & Spine, Woman & Child Health and Critical Care. The Hospital has progressive diagnostic services, including Laboratories, Radiology & Imaging, and Nuclear Medicine. This is a technologically-advanced institution designed to international standards and the most stringent criteria in infrastructure, medical care, fire-safety norms, and environmental guidelines.


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