Vijay Kumar Chaudhary: JD(U)’s Number Two Leader in Bihar Cabinet After Nitish Kumar

Patna: In Bihar’s political landscape, the NDA government under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has three prominent faces – Nitish Kumar himself, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha. But who holds the position of JD(U)’s second-in-command in the cabinet after Nitish Kumar? The answer is Vijay Kumar Chaudhary.

When Nitish Kumar took oath as Chief Minister for the tenth time in November 2025, Vijay Kumar Chaudhary was sworn in as a minister, ranking immediately after the chief minister in JD(U)’s hierarchy. He is considered one of Nitish Kumar’s closest allies and is often seen accompanying him during inspections and official programs. Known as a key strategist and part of JD(U)’s “think tank,” Chaudhary plays a crucial role in shaping government policies and party decisions.

A Friendship Dating Back to 1985

The trust and camaraderie between Nitish Kumar and Vijay Kumar Chaudhary go back decades. Nitish Kumar himself recalled that their bond began in 1985, when Nitish was a Lok Dal legislator and Chaudhary was with Congress. During assembly debates on issues affecting ordinary citizens, Chaudhary often supported Nitish across party lines, guided by principles rather than party politics. Nitish described him as someone “different,” noting that their closeness developed despite being in opposing parties.

Political Journey

Like Nitish Kumar, Vijay Kumar Chaudhary was a bright student. After completing his MA from Patna University in 1979, he cleared the SBI Probationary Officer exam and started his career at the bank in Thiruvananthapuram. Following the sudden death of his father, Jagdish Prasad Chaudhary, a Congress MLA from Dalsinghsarai, in 1982, he resigned and returned home. He was then fielded by Congress in the Dalsinghsarai by-election, which he won, marking the start of his political career. He retained the seat in 1985, during which time his friendship with Nitish Kumar was established.

In 2005, when Nitish Kumar launched his campaign against “Jungle Raj” in Bihar, he invited Chaudhary to join JD(U). Though he lost his first election as a JD(U) candidate from Sarairanjan, Nitish remained confident in his abilities. In 2008, he was appointed JD(U)’s General Secretary and chief spokesperson. In 2010, Chaudhary won the assembly election and was made a minister, becoming a permanent face in the Nitish cabinet. Over time, professional camaraderie evolved into a close friendship.

Respected Across Parties

Vijay Kumar Chaudhary is known for his politeness, affability, and scholarly approach. With deep knowledge of parliamentary procedures, he enjoys respect across party lines. In 2015, when BJP was opposed to Nitish Kumar, they still extended their support to Chaudhary when he was nominated for Assembly Speaker, leading to his unopposed election.

Today, Chaudhary continues to play a pivotal role in JD(U), acting as the trusted number two leader in the Bihar cabinet after Nitish Kumar.