Patna, April 15 -- BJP leader Samrat Choudhary was on Wednesday sworn in as the 24th Chief Minister of Bihar, in the first instance of a saffron party member making it to the top post in the state.

He was administered the oath of office by Governor Syed Ata Hasnain at the Lok Bhawan, in presence of a host of dignitaries, including JD(U) president Nitish Kumar, who had given up the CM's post a day ago, Union minister and former BJP president J P Nadda and Chirag Paswan, who heads the LJP (RV), the third-largest constituent of the ruling NDA in Bihar.

Bijendra Prasad Yadav and Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, both from the JD(U), also took oath on the occasion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Samrat Choudhary and said his energy, dedication to public service and grassroots experience will prove extremely beneficial for the state.

"Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Shri Samrat Choudhary on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar! His energy, dedication to public service, and grassroots experience will prove extremely beneficial for the state. I am fully confident that under his capable leadership, while fulfilling the aspirations of the people, Bihar will touch new heights of all-round development," Modi said in a post.

Bihar will be governed on the "Modi-Nitish model", said Choudhary after being sworn in as congratulations poured in from NDA leaders who exuded confidence that the state would progress rapidly under his leadership.

Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retd) administered the oath of office and secrecy to Choudhary as chief minister, a day after Nitish Kumar resigned after serving in the post for the longest period.

"I will immediately start working for the prosperity of the state. It should remain clear that Bihar will continue to be governed on the Modi-Nitish model," the new chief minister said after the ceremony.

Congratulating Choudhary on being sworn in as the first BJP chief minister of Bihar, NDA leaders exuded confidence that the state would progress rapidly and contribute to materialising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve for a 'Viksit Bharat'.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.