END OF AN ERA, DAWN OF A NEW ORDER: SAMRAT CHOUDHARY TO BE SWORN IN AS BIHAR’S FIRST BJP CHIEF MINISTER ON APRIL 15
After two decades of Nitish Kumar’s dominance, the BJP scripts history in Bihar as Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary is set to take oath as Chief Minister tomorrow — a seismic shift in state politics
PATNA, April 14, 2026 — Bihar is on the cusp of a historic political transformation. BJP’s Samrat Choudhary was named Nitish Kumar’s successor as Bihar’s Chief Minister — making him the first from the BJP to hold the state’s top post when he takes oath on Wednesday.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar stepped down on Tuesday (April 14, 2026), amid hectic political developments in the State. Earlier in the day, Kumar held his last State Cabinet meeting, informing his Cabinet colleagues about his decision to dissolve the Council of Ministers — a constitutional requirement before tendering his resignation.
Choudhary, who served as Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister, was unanimously elected as the leader of the BJP legislative party in Bihar. The announcement came after Kumar, the Janata Dal (United) leader, submitted his resignation after dissolving his cabinet.
The 57-year-old belongs to the Koeri, or Kushwaha caste, a prominent Other Backward Class (OBC) community in the state. Among the backward castes, the Kushwaha community is the largest after the Yadavs. Reportedly, Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) had asked the BJP to appoint a Chief Minister from this very caste group.
Choudhary will reportedly take oath as CM on Wednesday, April 15, at 11 am. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the new government at Lok Bhawan.
As per the proposed cabinet formula, both the BJP and JD(U) may get 15 ministerial positions each. Chirag Paswan’s LJP (R) is expected to get two ministerial positions, while Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM and Upendra Kushwaha’s RLM may get one ministerial position each. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister will take oath on April 15, while the swearing-in of other ministers may take place later.
Kumar had served as Chief Minister for over two decades, taking oath for a record tenth term on November 20, 2025, and concluding it on April 14, 2026 — the day marking the end of the inauspicious Kharmas month. Kumar pledged his full support and guidance to the incoming government.
Choudhary played a crucial role in strengthening the BJP’s footprint in Bihar, especially during recent elections where the NDA secured a commanding victory. As Deputy CM, he was actively involved in governance and policy implementation, helping the alliance maintain political stability in the state.
The BJP is the single largest party in the 243-strong assembly with 89 MLAs. Central observer and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan attended the BJP legislature party meeting in Patna and formally announced Choudhary’s name.
Bihar now awaits its new chapter — one with a BJP hand firmly on the wheel for the first time in the state’s post-independence history.
