Patna: Posters proclaiming Samrat Choudhary, Bihar’s deputy chief minister, as the likely head of the state government appeared outside the BJP office in Patna on Thursday. The move coincided with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s departure for Delhi to be sworn in as a Rajya Sabha MP.

The posters, some of which were removed by party office staff, carried the label of ‘Valmiki Samaj’, a Dalit community traditionally associated with scavenging work.

“We do not know who has put up these posters. We can, at this moment, only say that who would be the next CM is a decision to be taken collectively, as has been the party's tradition,” BJP state media in charge Danish Eqbal told reporters.

Choudhary emerges as front-runner for chief minister’s post

Speculation is growing that Kumar, who turned 75 last month, will hold the final meeting of his cabinet next week after being sworn in on Friday, before stepping down as chief minister.

Choudhary, a Koeri caste leader, has risen rapidly since joining the BJP less than a decade ago. He became state party president in 2023 and was appointed Deputy Chief Minister in 2024, when the NDA returned to power following Kumar’s return to the coalition.

After the NDA retained power in last year’s assembly polls, Choudhary resumed his role as Deputy CM, now holding the crucial Home portfolio, which Kumar had previously been reluctant to relinquish.

BJP sources said the new government would be formed after April 14, when the month-long Hindu inauspicious period of ‘Kharmaas’ concludes. Top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, are expected to attend a “grand ceremony” to mark the formation of the “first ever BJP government in Bihar”, the only Hindi heartland state yet to be ruled by the party.

While Choudhary is seen as the “most preferred” candidate, BJP leadership could still spring a “surprise”, sources added.

JD(U) emphasises Nitish Kumar’s continued guidance

Asked about reports of BJP deliberations in Delhi, JD(U) national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad told PTI Video: “Of course, being a significant constituent of the NDA, the BJP has the right to hold deliberations on the emerging situation. But one thing is clear. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's consent will be sought while deciding his successor. Moreover, he will continue to spend as much time as possible in the state to offer guidance to the new government.”