Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
“My name is Samrat Choudhary, not bulldozer,” Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who also heads the home department, said in the State Assembly on Thursday (December 4, 2025), replying to the Opposition’s charge that the new State government is following Uttar Pradesh’s “bulldozer model” against illegal encroachments.
“Bihar is known for sushashan (good governance), which has become synonymous with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar,” Mr Choudhary said as other Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha was engaged in a spat with RJD legislators who accused the government of “jungle raj”.
Mr. Sinha said, “We will soon use bulldozers against those who have been patronising sand, land and liquor mafia.” The treasury and Opposition legislators were engaged in a debate over the Governor’s address to the joint sessions of the Assembly on December 3.
On Wednesday (December 3, 2025), the Opposition CPI (M-L) staged a statewide sit-in, accusing the BJP of replicating UP’s “bulldozer action” in Bihar. “Bulldozers are being used across the state to destroy homes and livelihoods of the poor and Dalits,” said CPI (M-L) state secretary Kunal.
“Of course, there is a crackdown on illegal encroachments as per the instructions of the court. Crackdown on mafia will also continue,” asserted Mr. Choudhary.
During debate on the penultimate day of the five-day winter session of the House, Opposition members also questioned the “fairness” of the recently concluded Assembly elections. While the NDA coalition had secured 202 of the 243 seats in the Assembly elections, the Opposition mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) managed to win only 35.
“Some of the Opposition members have vented their ire against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, whose fame has now reached far-off lands. He now heads an international panel,” said state parliamentary affairs minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary. Mr. Kumar has assumed the Chairship of Sweden-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IIDEA).
In his 20-minute speech, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar praised the Centre for cooperation with the NDA government.
Published – December 05, 2025 02:49 am IST
