In a significant development following Nitish Kumar’s tenth swearing-in as Bihar Chief Minister, the cabinet has welcomed Deepak Prakash, son of veteran leader Upendra Kushwaha. Deepak, representing the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), has been inducted as a minister, a move that bypasses the need to contest the recent Assembly polls.
The Kushwaha family holds considerable political sway in Bihar. Upendra Kushwaha, a Rajya Sabha member, has previously served as a Union minister and held the position of Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly. The family’s political strength was further underscored by the recent Assembly election victory of his wife, Sneh Lata Kushwaha, in the Sasaram constituency.
While initial discussions had pointed towards Sneh Lata’s potential cabinet inclusion, internal NDA negotiations and Upendra Kushwaha’s strategic influence resulted in Deepak’s appointment. For Deepak to officially hold his ministerial post, he must become a member of either the Bihar Legislative Assembly or the Legislative Council within the next six months. It is widely anticipated that he will be nominated to the Legislative Council soon.
This appointment is seen by political analysts as a strategic maneuver to solidify the Luv-Kush (Kurmi-Kushwaha) voter base, a critical segment for the NDA’s electoral success. By bringing Deepak into the cabinet, the coalition reinforces the representation of this influential social group, aligning with the political prominence of both Nitish Kumar and Upendra Kushwaha.
The ministerial position for Deepak marks a significant consolidation of the Kushwaha family’s political capital. After facing a defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections for the Karakat seat, Upendra Kushwaha was accommodated in the Rajya Sabha with NDA support. His wife’s recent legislative success and now their son’s cabinet entry create a powerful nexus of political authority within the family.
The RLM, which received four out of six seats allocated by the NDA, demonstrated a strong performance in the Assembly elections, signaling a resurgence for Upendra Kushwaha. His political trajectory, marked by various alliances and electoral ups and downs, has found renewed momentum. Rejoining the NDA and establishing the RLM has revitalized his political standing, leading to this influential cabinet position for his son in Bihar.