Samrat Choudhary faces governance test as Bihar enters new phase

New Delhi: Samrat Choudhary, the next Chief Minister of Bihar, faces the challenge of governing more effectively than 'Sushasan Babu' (Good Governance Man) Nitish Kumar and fulfilling the aspirations of the state's 140 million people. This will also serve as a trial by fire for the BJP, which has secured the Chief Minister's chair in the state for the very first time.

No New Ideas: For a significant portion of Nitish Kumar's tenure—spanning nearly two decades—the public remained largely satisfied. He undertook commendable work in the sectors of roads, electricity, law and order, and particularly in the field of girls' education. However, allegations subsequently emerged that he lacked any fresh ideas to propel the state forward.

Support from Allies: Samrat's name was at the forefront of the race to become Bihar's next Chief Minister. Yet, reports had surfaced suggesting a lack of consensus between the BJP and the RSS regarding his candidature. However, this question was definitively answered once he was formally elected as the leader of the BJP Legislative Party. The NDA's alliance partners had, in fact, already been in favor of elevating Samrat Choudhary to the post of Chief Minister.

Nitish's Support Base: Samrat hails from the Kushwaha sub-caste within the OBC (Other Backward Classes) category, whereas the outgoing Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, belongs to the Kurmi sub-caste. The NDA has historically enjoyed the long-standing support of both these communities in Bihar. Although these two communities collectively account for approximately 7% of the vote share, Nitish Kumar had successfully mobilized and brought into his fold a large segment of voters belonging to the 'Extremely Backward Classes' (EBC). Consequently, it is often said that roughly 20% of the state's electorate remains aligned with Nitish Kumar. Samrat now bears the responsibility of not only retaining the BJP's core vote bank but also ensuring that this additional voter segment remains loyal to the party moving forward.

The 'Revdi' Culture: When power in Bihar transitioned from the RJD's Lalu Prasad Yadav to Nitish Kumar, the state was plagued by a severe dearth of basic amenities such as roads and electricity. Nitish Kumar successfully fulfilled the public's aspirations regarding these fundamental infrastructural necessities. However, during the previous election, his government provided financial assistance of ₹10,000 each to the 'Jeevika Didis' just before the voting took place. Consequently, he faced accusations of resorting to a "freebie culture" to secure an electoral victory.

The Scourge of Migration: In these elections, Prashant Kishor's 'Jan Suraj' party made the issue of migration a central theme. Although the party did not garner a significant number of votes, the issue continues to be a source of deep anguish among the people of Bihar. Unable to find employment opportunities within the state, they are compelled to leave their homes and families behind. The people of Bihar aspire to see their state surge ahead in the race for development, ensuring that the dream of a developed Bihar is realized alongside the vision of a developed India.