In Nitish Kumar's new Bihar cabinet, first-timer Deepak Prakash is raising eyebrows
Deepak Prakash, son of RLM chief and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha, was sworn in as a minister despite not being an MLA or a member of the Legislative Council
Deepak Prakash, son of Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha, emerged as a surprise pick in the new Nitish Kumar government.
Newly sworn-in Bihar Minister Deepak Prakash greets Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the swearing-in ceremony in Patna on Thursday. (ANI)
Despite not being an MLA or a member of the Legislative Council, Prakash was sworn in on Thursday as the sole minister from his party by Governor Arif Mohammad Khan.
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There had been speculation that Kushwaha’s wife, Snehlata, who won the Bihar polls from the Sasaram seat, might find a place in the new cabinet. The RLM, an NDA ally, contested six seats and won four -- Bajpatti, Madhubani, Sasaram and Dinara -- in the assembly elections.
Prakash studied abroad, returned to India recently
Prakash, relatively unknown in state politics, has only recently returned to India after completing his studies abroad, according to a report by PTI.
"My father is my inspiration. That is the reason I decided to join politics. The news of my induction into the Cabinet came as a surprise for me," Prakash told reporters after the ceremony.
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Prakash will now have six months to secure membership in either House of the state legislature in order to continue as a minister.
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Prakash will now have six months to secure membership in either House of the state legislature in order to continue as a minister.
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Along with Nitish Kumar, 26 others took the oath of office on Thursday to join the new NDA-led cabinet of Bihar.
The swearing-in ceremony on Thursday was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda, among others.
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