In a heated exchange in the Bihar assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Opposition Leader Tejashwi Yadav clashed, resorting to personal attacks involving their fathers. Yadav criticized Choudhary’s father’s language at rallies and the current government’s performance, suggesting it was inefficient compared to his father’s administration. Choudhary retaliated, accusing Yadav’s father, Lalu Prasad, of robbing the state and referencing his own imprisonment related to the fodder scam. The back-and-forth included jabs about political allegiances and past positions, highlighting their contentious relationship and the chaotic political landscape in Bihar.
Patna:
The Bihar assembly witnessed a heated exchange today between Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Leader of the Opposition, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Tejashwi Yadav, which quickly escalated to accusations involving their fathers. Mr. Yadav referenced the language used by the Deputy Chief Minister’s father during rallies, to which Choudhary responded by saying, ‘Your father looted the state… He sent me to jail’.
While discussing the government run by his father, Lalu Yadav, and contrasting it with the current administration, Tejashwi Yadav directed his remarks toward the Deputy Chief Minister, recalling both his and his father’s criticisms of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is now his superior.
“The government is in shambles, the system is ineffective, the Chief Minister is worn out and defeated, and the average citizen is left wandering aimlessly… Even if this government remains in power for 40 years, it will continue to make the same accusations as before 2005,” he declared.
Then, taking a jab at Samrat Choudhary, Mr. Yadav remarked, “Earlier, Samrat ji used to critique the BJP. What changed?”
“Samrat Choudhary is present here. I prefer not to mention his father’s name. However, think about the language his father employed at BJP rallies and his comments about the Chief Minister – Do you recall the language he used for Nitish Kumar’s son? You were also there… Did your father not use derogatory terms for the Chief Minister? Stand up and refute it if you can,” he added.
As BJP MLAs erupted in protest, Mr. Choudhary retaliated. “And what did your father say? He plundered Bihar. He exploited the poor. He robbed the entire state.”
“I have been imprisoned. Lalu Prasad was the one who sent me to jail. It was only under Nitish Kumar’s leadership…” — he barely got the words out when Mr. Yadav interjected: “What party did you win with last time? It was our party. From that moment on, you’re destined to lose”.
“Do you see yourself as a king?” scoffed Mr. Choudhary. “At least I haven’t resorted to using any abusive language,” retorted the Leader of the Opposition.
Samrat Choudhary was a minister in the government led by Rabri Devi, Lalu Yadav’s wife, when he was imprisoned over the fodder scam. He stayed with the RJD even after the party lost power in 2005.
In 2014, he became part of a dissident faction and joined the JD(U) government under Jitan Ram Manjhi.
Three years later, he aligned with the BJP, which recognized his potential as a dynamic speaker and a representative of the influential Koeri caste. His ascent in the party has been rapid — he served as vice-president of the state unit, gained a seat in the legislative council, and then became a minister in Nitish Kumar’s government. In March 2023, he was appointed the state BJP chief.
His father, Shakuni Choudhary, was a former army personnel who turned to politics, initially joining the Congress and frequently switching allegiance between Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar.