Samrat Choudhary | Bihar’s saffron face

When Nitish Kumar, Bihar’s Chief Minister for over two decades, took oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha in Delhi on April 10, speculation intensified over his successor.

Among the contenders, Samrat Choudhary, 57, Deputy Chief Minister and former State BJP president, has emerged as the frontrunner. However, party leaders say a final decision will be made only after Mr. Kumar resigns, likely on April 14. A new government is expected to be formed the following day, April 15. Mr. Choudhary currently holds the key Home portfolio and has been closely shadowing BJP leaders as well as Mr. Kumar at official engagements across the State.