With Nitish Kumar taking oath as the Chief Minister for a record 10th time in Bihar on Thursday, the most talked about in the new Council of Ministers was Deepak Kushwaha, son of Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLMO) founder Upendra Kushwaha, who has become a minister without contesting the elections.
Deepak did not contest the assembly elections but under the agreements reached during seat sharing, he has been made a minister from the Legislative Council quota.
After taking oath, Deepak said that he is fully aware of the responsibility given to him and he is determined to discharge it.
Upendra Kushwaha had been publicly expressing his displeasure during the election manifesto and seat distribution. After talks failed in Patna, he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. After this, information came to light that apart from six seats, RLMO was also promised one additional MLC.
The discussion about inclusion of Upendra Kushwaha’s wife Snehlata Kushwaha in the cabinet was also going on for a long time. His victory from Sasaram seat by more than 25 thousand votes had further strengthened these speculations. However, ultimately due to political balance and strategic priorities of the alliance, Deepak Prakash was given a place in the Council of Ministers.
Upendra Kushwaha is currently a Rajya Sabha member and his wife Snehlata is an MLA. With Deepak becoming a minister, the political hold of the Kushwaha family seems to have become stronger.
