Jeans, Untucked Shirt, and Now a Minister: Deepak Prakash’s Surprise Entry Into Nitish Cabinet

Nitish Kumar, Bihar's longest-serving Chief Minister, was sworn in for a record 10th term in Patna at a grand ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CMs of several NDA-ruled states, and senior

alliance leaders. As minister-designate arrived in crisp kurta, pyjamas, dhoti, and bundies, a young techie dressed in a casual jeans and an untucked shirt, met the Prime Minister and took oath. Former Union minister and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief Upendra Kushwaha's son, Deepak Prakash, was inducted into the Bihar Cabinet. Deepak Prakash, who was sworn in as the sole RLM minister in the Nitish Kumar government on Thursday by Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, is not a member of the state legislature. Prakash is a qualified computer engineer. His videos instantly went viral on social media platforms.

Upendra Kushwaha defended his son's induction into the Bihar cabinet saying that he is a young and qualified leader. He stressed that ministerial eligibility should be assessed on ability and capability, not on caste or family background.“Deepak Prakash is not a student who failed in school. He studied hard and earned a degree in computer science engineering and has inherited values from his ancestors. Wait, give him some time to prove himself. He will live up to your expectations and trust,” Kushwaha wrote.He said some criticism is healthy, but prejudice should not guide public opinion. “Since yesterday, I have been observing reactions to our party’s decision. Criticisms are healthy, while some are tainted and prejudiced. I deeply respect healthy criticism. Such criticism teaches us a lot and helps us grow,” he wrote.Kushwaha, who got elected to the Rajya Sabha with BJP's help after finishing third in the Karakat seat in last year’s general elections, also regretted the ‘suicidal’ decision of having merged his Rashtriya Lok Samta Party with Nitish Kumar's JD(U) a few years ago. He floated the RLM before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

A Glance At Nitish Kumar's Cabinet

Nitish Kumar, Bihar's longest-serving Chief Minister, was on Thursday sworn in for a record 10th term here at a grand ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CMs of several NDA-ruled states, and senior alliance leaders. Along with 74-year-old Kumar, 26 ministers took the oath of office: 14 from the Bharatiya Janata Party, eight from Janata Dal (United), two from Lok Jan Shakti Party (Ram Vilas), and one each from Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM).Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has kept the portfolios of the General Administration Department, Cabinet Secretariat and Vigilance with himself. According to an official notification issued on Friday, the home department will be handled by deputy CM Samrat Choudhary. The Finance portfolio, which has been held by the BJP whenever it has entered into an alliance with the JD(U), has gone to the Nitish Kumar-led party this time. Senior leader Bijendra Prasad Yadav got the Finance and Commercial Tax departments.