Shakuni Choudhary Celebrates Son's Historic Rise to Bihar Chief Minister Post
In a rare and historic development, top leaders from two political parties with divergent ideologies have strongly endorsed a single individual for the chief minister's position in Bihar, according to former minister and six-time MLA Shakuni Choudhary. His remarks came shortly after his son, Samrat Choudhary, took the oath of office as the state's new chief minister on Wednesday.
Father's Pride and Political Legacy
"Jo mehnat karega wahi aage badhega (one who works hard, will rise). What I could not achieve has been accomplished by my son through the blessings of Amit Shah, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Nitish Kumar," Shakuni Choudhary told reporters, expressing immense pride. He emphasized that a leader is entrusted with such a significant responsibility only when they possess exceptional capability and strong leadership qualities.
According to the senior Choudhary, when parties with distinct political ideologies—such as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U)—unanimously agree upon a single name, it serves as a powerful testament to that leader's broad acceptability. "Samrat has successfully earned the trust not only of his own party but also of all the leaders within the alliance and the general public. This is his greatest strength," he stated.
Architect of Key Political Equations
Shakuni Choudhary, a founding member of the Samata Party formed by former chief minister Nitish Kumar after his separation from the Janata Dal and then-chief minister Lalu Prasad, played a pivotal role in Bihar's political landscape. He was also the architect of the influential 'Luv-Kush' equation alongside Nitish Kumar. Without his backing, it would have been challenging for Nitish to establish a foothold across the entire state.
Recalling his long and impactful political career, Samrat's father highlighted his contributions to strengthening the 'Luv-Kush' political equation and aiding in the formation of parties such as the Samata Party and the Hindustani Awam Morcha. The latter was led by Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi when he launched his own party after revolting against Nitish Kumar, who had appointed him as chief minister following the JD(U)'s debacle in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
A Dream Fulfilled Across Generations
The former minister described his son's elevation to the chief minister's position as the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. "Despite these efforts, I was never able to reach the office of the chief minister. Seeing Samrat attain this position feels like a dream come true for me," he shared emotionally. He noted that the stature he himself could not attain has now been achieved by his son, marking a significant milestone in their family's political journey.
This historic consensus and Samrat Choudhary's ascent underscore a unique moment in Bihar's politics, where cross-party support has paved the way for new leadership, celebrated by a veteran who helped shape the state's political framework.
