Samrat Choudhary, a 57-year-old leader, has had a chequered political journey, starting as a minister in Bihar nearly three decades ago and being removed by the Governor due to eligibility concerns. He later joined the BJP and rose to become the party's first chief minister in the state.
Choudhary's meteoric rise began when he joined the BJP nine years ago and was named state vice president a year later. He transformed from a staunch critic of Nitish Kumar to a trusted aide of the alliance partner, whose backing was vital for his own rise to the top.
As the state BJP president, Choudhary was named Deputy CM in 2024, alongside Vijay Kumar Sinha. He took to his new role seamlessly and emerged as a leader whom Nitish Kumar could trust enough to part with the crucial Home portfolio.
Choudhary now faces the daunting challenge of transforming Bihar into a BJP stronghold while accommodating allies like the JD(U) and smaller parties prone to change loyalties.
