Senior Vijay Kumar Chaudhary of the Janata Dal (United) stated that after party president Nitish Kumar stepped down as Chief Minister, the party chose to allow its alliance partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party, to assume the top post as a gesture of reciprocation for past support. He explained that this decision was intended to acknowledge the BJP’s backing during earlier political circumstances, particularly when the JD(U) faced setbacks.
Speaking at a press conference in Patna, Chaudhary said that the new government led by Samrat Chaudhary would soon seek a vote of confidence in the state assembly. He noted that a special one-day session had been convened for this purpose and expressed confidence that the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would easily secure the trust vote due to its strong majority in the House.
He further emphasized that the newly formed government continues to have the backing and guidance of Nitish Kumar, who stepped aside after deciding to move to the Rajya Sabha. Chaudhary added that Nitish Kumar has consistently enjoyed public trust over the years and reassured that the current administration would continue to follow his governance approach and policy direction.
Earlier during the same briefing, state JD(U) president Umesh Kushwaha clarified that Chaudhary would address questions related to the leadership transition, which began when Nitish Kumar announced his intention to contest the Rajya Sabha elections. Following his election, Samrat Choudhary assumed office, becoming the first Chief Minister of Bihar from the BJP.
When asked why the JD(U) did not retain the chief ministerial position after Nitish Kumar vacated it, Chaudhary reiterated that the BJP had stood by the party during the 2020 Assembly elections when JD(U)’s seat count had declined significantly. In light of that support, the party decided to extend its backing to a government led by the BJP, describing it as a reciprocal political gesture.
The current arrangement also reflects a shift in power dynamics compared to the previous setup, where Nitish Kumar served as Chief Minister with BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha as his deputies. Recently, alongside Chaudhary, senior JD(U) leader Bijendra Prasad Yadav was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister, marking a reconfiguration within the alliance structure.
Addressing criticism from the opposition, particularly from Tejashwi Yadav, who alleged that the NDA government was burdening Bihar with debt due to populist policies, Chaudhary responded that borrowing funds for development is a standard practice for governments. He dismissed concerns about rising debt levels and countered that during the tenure of the opposition-led government, the state had faced severe financial instability, including difficulties in paying salaries to government employees.
He also responded to remarks regarding the political outreach planned by Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar, whose upcoming state tour was described by critics as an attempt to revive the party. Chaudhary rejected this characterization, stating that such outreach initiatives have historically benefited the public and that Nishant Kumar’s participation in political activities is a natural progression following his entry into the party.
On the issue of differing opinions within the alliance regarding Bihar’s liquor prohibition law, Chaudhary clarified that individual statements made by certain leaders should not be interpreted as the official stance of the government or the party. He stressed that personal views expressed by legislators do not necessarily reflect the collective position of the administration.
Bihar has enforced a complete prohibition on alcohol since 2016, banning its manufacture, sale, and consumption. However, the policy has faced criticism due to repeated incidents of illicit liquor consumption leading to fatalities. The Patna High Court recently expressed concern over the ineffective implementation of the law, warning that lapses in enforcement were putting citizens’ lives at risk.
