PATNA: In a significant reshuffle in Bihar’s power structure, the Home Department has been shifted from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s control to Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Samrat Choudhary — marking the first such change in nearly two decades. The move has sparked sharp political reactions, with the JD(U) defending the decision while the Opposition alleges that the BJP now holds decisive control over the state government.
Samrat Choudhary will now directly oversee Bihar’s law and order operations, with senior police officials — from the DGP to district-level officers — reporting to him. His new mandate has drawn attention as he has often advocated for a UP-style tough stance on crime, signalling a potentially more aggressive policing approach in the state.
Reacting to the development, JD(U) Minister Ashok Choudhary told IANS, “It is good that Samrat Choudhary has been given the Home Ministry. He is young and will work diligently to meet the demands of the department. Nitish Kumar has taken this decision after careful consideration.”
Meanwhile, Opposition parties argue that the move sidelines Nitish Kumar and strengthens the BJP’s grip over the administration. The restructuring has intensified political debate in Bihar, with both sides positioning the shift as a defining moment in the state’s governance trajectory.