Patna: Bihar minister Deepak Prakash was sworn in as a member of the Bihar Legislative Council (MLC) on Thursday, bringing to an end months of uncertainty over his continuation in the state cabinet without being a member of either House of the legislature.
After taking the oath, Deepak Prakash sought the blessings of his father, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief Upendra Kushwaha, by touching his feet.
Nominated To Vacant Council Seat
Deepak Prakash was nominated to the Legislative Council seat that fell vacant following the resignation of BJP leader Devesh Kumar.
The Bihar government had recommended his nomination to the Raj Bhavan, and Governor Syed Ata Hasnain approved the proposal. Following the completion of official formalities, Deepak Prakash was administered the oath as an MLC.
His induction into the Legislative Council formally resolves the issue of his legislative membership while continuing as a minister.
Supreme Court Scrutiny
The nomination comes ahead of a hearing in the Supreme Court, where a petition had challenged Deepak Prakash’s continuation as a minister despite not being an MLA or an MLC.
During the previous hearing, the court reportedly questioned the Bihar government on how a person could continue as a minister for an extended period without being a member of the legislature.
The matter is scheduled to be heard again on August 27.
With his appointment as an MLC, Deepak Prakash has now become a member of the legislature, removing the immediate legal uncertainty surrounding his ministerial position.
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Continued As Minister Without Election
Deepak Prakash, the son of Upendra Kushwaha, was first inducted into the cabinet during the Nitish Kumar government as the sole minister representing the Rashtriya Lok Morcha in the NDA alliance.
Although he was not a member of either the Legislative Assembly or the Legislative Council at the time, he continued to serve as a minister until April 2026.
After Samrat Chaudhary assumed office as Chief Minister on May 7, 2026, Deepak Prakash was reappointed to the cabinet and had continued in the post without having contested or won an election.
His swearing-in as an MLC now fulfils the constitutional requirement of legislative membership while allowing him to continue as a minister in the Bihar government.
