Pushpam Priya Choudhary is a politician and reformist from Bihar who has made headlines for her bold and modern approach to politics. Born in Darbhanga, Bihar, she is the daughter of Vinod Choudhary, a senior leader of the Janata Dal (United).
With a vision to redefine governance in Bihar, Pushpam has positioned herself as a forward-thinking leader advocating for progress, equality, and development.
Pushpam’s academic journey took her to the London School of Economics (LSE), where she earned degrees in Public Administration and Development Studies.
Her education abroad shaped her fresh perspective on governance and fueled her ambition to bring innovative solutions to Bihar’s longstanding challenges.
In 2020, Pushpam launched The Plurals Party, a platform focused on inclusive and issue-based politics. Her campaign slogan, “Bihar deserves better,” reflected her commitment to moving away from traditional caste-based politics and focusing on development-driven agendas.
Pushpam’s vision includes improving education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic opportunities while promoting gender equality and environmental sustainability.
Although she did not win in the 2020 Bihar elections, Pushpam Priya Choudhary remains a symbol of hope for those seeking a new kind of leadership in Indian politics. She continues to challenge the status quo, advocating for transparency, meritocracy, and progress in governance.
Pushpam’s journey reflects the aspirations of a younger, globally-minded generation eager to see meaningful change in Indian politics, especially in states like Bihar, where development lags behind potential.
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Early Life
Pushpam Priya Choudhary was born on June 13, 1988, in Darbhanga, Bihar. Her father, the late Vinod Choudhary, was a respected political figure who served as a member of the Bihar Legislative Council.
He was also known for being a close associate of Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar. Growing up in a politically active environment, Pushpam developed an early understanding of governance and leadership, which later inspired her to carve her own path in politics.
Education
Pushpam Priya Choudhary’s educational background is quite impressive as she received her early education in Darbhanga and then went on to study at the prestigious Delhi Public School in RK Puram, New Delhi.
She is an alumna of two prestigious institutions – the London School of Economics and the Institute of Development Studies. She also holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States.
Career
Pushpam Priya Choudhary has worked as a policy researcher with the United Nations for six years in countries like India, Switzerland, Tanzania, and Uzbekistan.
She has also worked as a consultant for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). She has contributed to various international publications and spoken at international conferences.
After completing her Ph.D., Pushpam Priya Choudhary worked as a consultant for the United Nations before returning to India to launch her political career.
In March 2020, she announced the formation of her own political party, Plurals. The party’s platform emphasizes inclusive growth, social justice, and environmental sustainability.
Literary Pursuits
Pushpam Priya Choudhary is a published author and has written several articles and research papers on gender equality, education, and governance.
She has also authored a book titled “Bihar Diaries: The True Story of How Bihar’s Most Loved Leader Was Made.”
Entry into Politics
Pushpam Priya Choudhary announced her entry into Bihar politics in March 2020 with an ad blitz in almost all newspapers published in the state.
She chose International Women’s Day to announce her political party, Plurals. She released a two-page advertisement in multiple Hindi and English newspapers in the state, featuring herself with the caption ‘Bihar deserves better, and better is possible’.
Party Launch
The emergence of the Plurals Party (commonly referred to as Plurals or TPP, दप्पा) marks a significant chapter in Indian political discourse. Founded in Bihar by Pushpam Priya Choudhary, the party espouses a comprehensive agenda focused on pivotal issues like education, employment, healthcare, rural development, industrialization, urban centers, and inclusive empowerment of individuals and regions.
Plurals embarked on its political voyage with a formidable debut in the 2020 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, challenging the established incumbents of the National Democratic Alliance comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (United), as well as the Grand Alliance led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Indian National Congress, and various leftist factions.
The party’s genesis on March 8, 2020, was led by Pushpam Priya Choudhary, who was projected as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the Bihar polls. Anupam Kumar Suman, a former civil servant who served as the special secretary to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar before resigning, joined as the General Secretary, infusing administrative experience into the party’s leadership cadre.
She promised to contest all 243 seats in the Bihar Assembly elections and announced that 50% of the tickets would be given to women. She declared herself the party’s chief ministerial candidate.
During this, she said she would completely change Bihar in ten years. In the assembly elections, she stood from Bankipur and Bisfi seats. He got only 5,189 votes from the Bankipur seat and only 1509 votes from the Bisfi assembly seat.
Party’s Ideology
Pushpam Priya Choudhary’s Plurals party aims to provide an alternative to the current political parties in Bihar that are based on caste and religion. Plurals have promised to provide free education to all girls in Bihar up to the post-graduate level and to create job opportunities for the youth.
The party’s ideology is based on five core principles: Democracy, Equality, Justice, Peace, and Development. The party aims to create a society that is free of discrimination and inequality. Plurals is committed to empowering people and communities across the state, especially those marginalized for far too long.
Vision for Bihar
Pushpam Priya Choudhary’s vision is to turn Bihar into a modern state on par with Europe’s best by 2030. She has promised to provide all citizens 24-hour electricity, clean drinking water, healthcare facilities, and education.
She has also promised to provide all state residents free WiFi and a universal basic income. She plans to focus on women’s empowerment, youth employment, and sustainable development.
Bankipore Assembly Seat
Pushpam Priya Choudhary, who previously contested the Bankipore Assembly seat in Patna, has spent the past six to seven months touring villages and engaging with the locals. Her dedication aims to connect with the people and understand their sentiments.
Assets and Net Worth
Pushpam Priya Choudhary’s election affidavit shows that she has a Rs 27.89 lakh bank balance and an education loan of Rs 4.91 lakh. She is also fond of gemstones, and her party’s website has several photos of her wearing ‘Pukhraj’ and ‘Neelam’ rings worth lakhs.
Controversy
Some of the linked controversies related to Pushpam Priya Choudhary as reported by relevant sources:
Caste Controversy
In 2020, Pushpam Priya Choudhary’s political campaign in Bihar sparked controversy over her alleged caste claims. Some media outlets accused her of falsely claiming to belong to the “Kushwaha” caste to garner support from the community. However, Pushpam denied the allegations and clarified that her mother is from the Kushwaha community.
Citizenship Controversy
Pushpam Priya Choudhary’s citizenship was also questioned during her political campaign. Some reports suggested that she was a British citizen and, therefore, ineligible to contest elections in India.
However, Pushpam produced evidence to prove that she is an Indian citizen by birth and had renounced her British citizenship in 2019.
Political Alliance Controversy
In the lead-up to the Bihar Assembly elections, Pushpam Priya Choudhary’s political party, Plurals, allied with the Bhim Army, a Dalit rights organization.
The move sparked controversy, with some accusing Pushpam of trying to divide the state along caste lines. However, Pushpam defended the alliance, stating it was based on common goals and shared values.
Note: It is important to note that these controversies are still subject to debate and differing opinions.
Aim
Her academic background and practical experience have shaped her focus on employment, education, healthcare, rural development, industrialization, urban centers, and capability inclusion of people and regions. Through her policies and initiatives, she aims to create a prosperous, inclusive, and modern Bihar.
Lesser Known Facts
Pushpam Priya Choudhary is a gemstone enthusiast and is often seen wearing ‘Pukhraj’ and ‘Neelam’ rings, which are worth lakhs of rupees. She is also a fitness enthusiast and has been promoting the benefits of yoga and meditation.
News & Updates
09/03/2023
Plurals Foundation Day
Pushpam Priya Choudhary, on the Party’s third foundation day, congratulated the workers and affirmed that Plurals are alive and will live forever. She emphasized the power of unity and the importance of working towards a brighter future together, saying, “If you are then we are, and we are our future.”
In conclusion, Pushpam Priya Choudhary is a dynamic and determined political leader who has taken up the challenge of transforming Bihar’s political landscape. Despite facing tough competition from established political parties, she has garnered support from a significant section of the state’s youth population.
Pushpam Priya’s vision of a prosperous and modern Bihar has struck a chord with many people, and her party, Plurals, is being seen as a credible alternative to the status quo. It remains to be seen how she performs in the upcoming elections.
