Nitish Kumar hints at Samrat Choudhary as his successor in Bihar

Amid speculations that Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary will replace Nitish Kumar as the new Chief Minister of Bihar, Mr. Kumar gave a subtle message to the people of the State on Friday, March 13, 2026, that Mr. Choudhary will be his successor.

Mr. Kumar is set to quit his post after filing his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections to be held on March 16.

During the Samriddhi Yatra in Saharsa, Mr. Kumar placed his hands on Mr. Choudhary’s shoulder and urged people to show support for him. The Chief Minister also asked the public to report to Mr. Choudhary on the developmental works completed or lack thereof in Bihar.

Mr. Kumar reminded people of his work for Bihar as Chief Minister in the last 20 years.

At the end of his 20-minute long speech, Mr. Kumar said, “When Bihar develops, the country will also develop. All kinds of work is being done in Bihar. I will ask everyone to raise their hand in support. Everything will be fine. I told them to do many more things.” [developmental] “He works for the people.”

Also read | Nitish Kumar’s political journey: From rebellion to longest-serving CM

Mr. Choudhary, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), belongs to the Koeri or Kushwaha caste, the other prominent backward class (OBC) community in Bihar.

After the Yadavs, the Kushwahas form the second largest voting bloc among OBC castes in the state and have close ties with Nitish Kumar’s Kurmi community.

Mr Choudhary is one of the leading candidates among the BJP leaders vying for Mr Kumar to become the next Minister of State. The names of many BJP leaders, including Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, who belongs to the Yadav caste, are also being considered for this post.

Addressing the gathering after Mr Kumar’s speech, Mr Choudhary asserted that the new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the state would continue to work under the guidance of the senior Janata Dal (United) leader.

Heaping praise on the State’s longest-serving Chief Minister, Mr. Choudhary said: “Bihar owes a lot to Nitish Kumar, who took charge soon after the creation of Jharkhand, which deprived the state of over 80% of its revenue.” Mr. Kumar said when he first took office, the state budget was only a few thousand crores.

Addressing the public, Cabinet Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said that people’s trust in Mr. Kumar should continue in the future as well. “Whatever government the NDA forms, it will not work without the advice of Nitish Kumar ji. So you should also give strength to the new government. [to be formed]he added.