 According to "Divyavadana", Bindusara wanted Susima to succeed him but Ashoka was supported by his father's ministers due to Susima had insulted them and Ashoka’s mother was a Brahmin from birth.A minister named Radhagupta seems to have played an important role in this succession.One of the "Ashokavandana" states that Ashoka managed to become the Emperor by getting rid of the legitimate heir to the throne, by killing poisoning them.