Deepak Prakash Joins Bihar Cabinet, Marking Political Shift

On March 7, 2024, Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Bihar’s Chief Minister for a record tenth term, a ceremony that saw the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Among the significant changes in the new cabinet was the appointment of Deepak Prakash, son of veteran politician Upendra Kushwaha, as a minister from the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) quota, despite his absence from the recent Assembly elections.

Deepak Prakash’s political ascent is notable given his family’s established presence in Bihar politics. His father, Upendra Kushwaha, serves as a Rajya Sabha MP and has held various roles, including Union minister and Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly. Deepak’s mother, Sneh Lata Kushwaha, recently secured the Sasaram Assembly seat with a substantial margin of over 25,000 votes against the RJD candidate.

Initially, there was speculation that Sneh Lata might be included in the cabinet. However, internal negotiations within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Upendra Kushwaha’s influence led to Deepak’s appointment, marking his formal entry into politics. Constitutionally, Deepak must become a member of either the Legislative Assembly or the Legislative Council within six months, with indications that he may be nominated to the Legislative Council soon.

Strategic Caste Dynamics in Bihar Politics

Political analysts suggest that Deepak’s induction reflects a strategic effort to maintain the Kurmi-Kushwaha caste balance within the NDA, an essential vote bank for the coalition. Both Nitish Kumar and Upendra Kushwaha hold significant influence within this social group, and Deepak’s appointment reinforces their representation in the state cabinet.

Deepak’s ministerial role consolidates the Kushwaha family’s political power in Bihar. Following a defeat in the Karakat Lok Sabha seat in 2024, Upendra Kushwaha received support from the NDA to secure his position in the Rajya Sabha. Sneh Lata’s recent electoral success has further solidified the family’s political standing.

With the RLM having secured six seats in its seat-sharing agreement with the NDA and winning four in the recent Assembly elections, Upendra Kushwaha’s political trajectory appears to be on the rise. His journey has included joining the Grand Alliance in 2019, where he faced significant losses, contesting independently in 2020 with no success, and subsequently merging with the Janata Dal (United) in 2021. The formation of the RLM in 2023 and rejoining the NDA have marked a turning point in his political fortunes.

The recent changes in Bihar’s political landscape indicate a consolidation of power for the Kushwaha family, with Deepak Prakash’s cabinet role completing a trio of significant political positions for the family. This development may have lasting implications for the NDA’s strategy and electoral prospects as they navigate the complex dynamics of Bihar’s political environment.