BJP's Samrat Choudhary Confirms Unwavering Support for Nitish Kumar as Bihar Chief Minister

BJP's Samrat Choudhary at NDTV's Bihar Power Play

Patna:

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary affirmed at NDTV Bihar Power Play in Patna today that there is no vacancy for the Chief Minister position in Bihar, and the BJP will continue supporting incumbent Nitish Kumar. He was engaged in conversation with NDTV's Sumit Awasthi, Akhilesh Sharma, and Prabhakar Kumar.

When questioned about rumors regarding his potential elevation to Chief Minister, Choudhary responded, "There is no vacancy for Chief Minister. Bihar experienced a prolonged dark period. Following Sri Krishna Sinha, Bihar's first Chief Minister, the state witnessed numerous Chief Ministers over the next four decades, with none completing a full five-year term. Nitish Kumar brought development to Bihar. After 2005, students received school uniforms and bicycles. He advanced education significantly. Bihar previously had 2,000 high schools, now it has 10,000."

Addressing whether the time had come for BJP to strengthen its position in Bihar, Choudhary declared, "We are the makers." He elaborated, "In 1990, Lalu Prasad Yadav became Chief Minister for the first time with BJP's support. However, he disrespected Bihar, leading BJP to end that alliance. In 2000, Nitish Kumar's JDU had 34 MLAs while BJP had 70. Still, BJP supported him for Chief Minister in Bihar's interest. In 2020, Nitish Kumar was reluctant to become Chief Minister, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi persuaded him." He emphasized, "As long as Nitish Kumar remains, BJP considers him the Chief Minister. There is absolutely no ambiguity about this."

Responding to RJD's criticism of the scheme providing Rs 10,000 to approximately 1.5 crore women, he stated, "RJD is fundamentally anti-women, it's in their DNA. Lalu Yadav was involved in tearing the Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament. Modi ji ensured the Bill's passage. Lalu ji claimed Bihar's women progressed because his wife became Chief Minister. In contrast, Nitish Kumar implemented 50 percent reservation for women in panchayati raj institutions. Both Bihar and the nation understand who truly opposes women's advancement." He asserted that while the NDA has already delivered on promises, the Opposition is merely making commitments.

Addressing speculation about Nitish Kumar's health, he took aim at RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav: "Yesterday during rainfall, a 36-year-old youth was resting at home while a 75-year-old man was conducting rallies."

Countering Jan Suraaj Party leader Prashant Kishor's allegations of criminal activity against him, Choudhary suggested political persecution during Lalu Prasad's tenure as Chief Minister. He dismissed Kishor, saying, "Many newcomers will enter politics. I don't wish to give them undue importance. I have been working for three decades, while some have only been active for two years."

When asked about his father, veteran politician Shakuni Choudhary's previous association with RJD, he replied, "Nitish Kumar and Laluji have collaborated, BJP and Laluji have worked together, Congress imprisoned Laluji, he named his daughter MISA (after the Emergency era law), and now he's working with Congress. These are simply political circumstances."