Bihar Forms New Government Led by Samrat Choudhary

PTI, April 15, 2026, Patna: Bihar got its first BJP-led government on Wednesday, with Samrat Choudhary taking the oath as the state Chief Minister, marking a major political transition in the state that saw the saffron party go from a supporting role to the centre of governance.

Besides Choudhary, JD(U) stalwarts Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav also took oath as cabinet members. The two have been designated as deputy chief ministers.

All three were administered the oath of office by Governor Syed Ata Hasnain at Lok Bhavan, a day after JDU's longest-serving Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resigned from the top post.

Along with Kumar, Union minister and former BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda and Union minister Chirag Paswan, who heads LJP(RV), the third largest constituent of the ruling NDA in Bihar, were among those present at the oath-taking ceremony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Samrat Choudhary, who became the first-ever BJP leader to head a government in Bihar, saying his energy, dedication to public service and grassroots experience will prove beneficial for the state.

"Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Shri Samrat Choudhary... I am fully confident that under his capable leadership, while fulfilling the aspirations of the people, Bihar will touch new heights of all-round development," Modi said in a post on X in Hindi.

Choudhary, who briefly interacted with journalists after the swearing-in ceremony, said, "I will get down to work starting today. Rest assured that the model of governance developed by Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar will be followed in Bihar."

The change of guard in the state was necessitated by Nitish Kumar, 75, becoming a member of the Rajya Sabha, bringing an end to his 20-year tenure as Chief Minister.

In the evening, a cabinet secretariat department notification announced that Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav, both of whom have headed the JD(U)’s Bihar unit in the past, were being designated as deputy chief ministers.

According to the notification, the Chief Minister has retained the Home portfolio, and about 30 other crucial departments, including health, agriculture, industry and vigilance. Earlier, the state home ministry was with Samrat Choudhary as a deputy chief minister.