India, April 15 -- Bihar is entering a new political era. After decades, the BJP has managed to install its own leader as chief minister (CM) - the new CM, Samrat Choudhary, has served as deputy CM under Nitish Kumar. The transition was never going to be easy. For a long time, political circles and public discussion had been shaped by the belief that the mandate in Bihar was tied to Nitish Kumar's leadership. Some JD(U) leaders were uneasy with any move that unsettled that arrangement. Yet, given Nitish Kumar's health, the shift had become unavoidable. What was required, therefore, was an honourable exit.

But this is not simply a story of succession. It raises a larger question: After decades of rule by Lohiaite formations and leaders sh...