DEEPAK PRAKASH LEFT WITH THREE OPTIONS

DEEPAK PRAKASH LEFT WITH THREE OPTIONS

9-JUNE-ENG 5

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA------------------------On Monday, the final day for nominations for the ten Legislative Council seats, ten candidates filed their papers. Notably, Deepak Prakash—son of Upendra Kushwaha (Panchayati Raj Minister and President of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha, an NDA constituent)—did not file a nomination. With Deepak not filing, all candidates are set to be declared elected unopposed once the deadline for the withdrawal of nominations expires on June 11.

Deepak Prakash, who became a state government minister for the second time within six months, is now facing several challenges. He has become the first minister in the state whose position is in jeopardy because he is not a member of either House of the legislature. Consequently, his party may consider new options to chart a future course for Panchayati Raj Minister Deepak Prakash.

**First:** He must become a member of either House of the state legislature within five months. His mother could pave the way for this; Deepak Prakash's mother, Snehlata Kushwaha, is an NDA MLA from Sasaram. If she decides to resign her legislative seat to clear the hurdle in her son's path, Deepak Prakash could contest the subsequent by-election. A victory would allow him to retain his ministerial post.

**Second:** Deepak Prakash has the option of taking the oath as a minister once again after the initial six-month period expires. However, this would require the consent of the NDA and the Chief Minister.

Thirdly, Deepak Prakash has the option of stepping down from his ministerial post. After resigning, he could tour Bihar. The Kushwaha community is the second-largest group among the backward castes, ranking just after the Yadavs; consequently, he could garner the community's sympathy.

Amidst all this political activity, RLMO supremo Upendra Kushwaha is in Delhi. Before leaving for Delhi on Monday, he stated that there was no ill-feeling. Regarding the expectation of securing a seat, he remarked, "That is fine, but you should ask the person who issued the letter about that." He also extended his best wishes to the NDA's MLC candidates.