New Delhi: In a significant political realignment, Nitish Kumar, the leader of the Janata Dal-United (JDU), assumed office as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the ninth time. This marked a seismic shift in political alliances as Kumar, once the architect of the ‘Mahagathbandhan‘ coalition, severed ties with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, opting to form a new coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The swearing-in ceremony, held at Raj Bhavan, introduced a reinvigorated team of leaders, including Samrat Choudhary, Vijay Kumar Sinha, and others, setting the stage for a political transformation in Bihar.
At the heart of this political transition is Samrat Choudhary, the newly appointed Deputy Chief Minister and BJP state President. Choudhary has been a prominent figure in Bihar’s political landscape, famously vowing to discard his turban only after his party assumed power in the state. With a political journey that has traversed multiple parties, including the RJD and the JDU, the 54-year-old OBC leader from the Koeri community took on the role of state BJP chief in March of the previous year. His extensive experience includes holding positions as Minister for Urban Development and Housing, Health, as well as Minister of Metrology and Horticulture.
On the other hand, Vijay Kumar Sinha, 64, hails from the influential upper caste Bhumihar community. His political journey commenced during his civil engineering days at a polytechnic in Barauni when he became involved with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Sinha’s foray into electoral politics began in 2010 when he made his debut in the Bihar Assembly. Over the years, he assumed various roles, including Minister of Labour Resources seven years later. In 2020, he was appointed as the Speaker of the Bihar Assembly. His tenure as Speaker was marked by significant moments, including Nitish Kumar’s impassioned speech on the assembly floor and a tense episode where he was held hostage within his chamber by members of the RJD in 2021.
The appointment of the deputy chief ministerial duo, consisting of Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, showcases the BJP’s strategic move to address caste considerations effectively. This calculated pairing aims to garner support from the OBCs while retaining the loyalty of the core upper caste base.