RJD chief Lalu Prasad's sons Tejashwi Yadav & Tejpratap likely to be part of Nitish cabinet

By Sanjay Singh

PATNA: RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s sons Tejashwi Prasad and Tejpratap, who won the assembly elections from Raghopur and Mahua, respectively, are likely to be inducted into the Nitish Kumar government that will assume office on Friday. Kumar will take oath as chief minister at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan in the presence of several prominent leaders, including chief ministers of nine states.

Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad are personally finalising the list of ministers.

Sources in RJD said although the party is not pressing for the post of deputy chief minister, Kumar could elevate any minister as deputy chief minister in the new government.

Bihar Congress chief Ashok Choudhari is likely to become a minister from the Congress quota. “Apart from Choudhari, Abdul Jalil Mastan and Ashok Kumar may also become ministers in the new government,” the source said.

Senior RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui has been considered a fit case for Speaker of the state assembly. “But he is likely to take oath as a minister tomorrow. If he becomes a minister, the Speaker’s post may go to Congress. The party’s senior leader Sadanand Singh may be considered for the Speaker’s post,” a source said.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, former prime minister HD Deve Gowda and chief ministers Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, Arvind Kejriwal, Tarun Gogoi, Siddaramaiah, O Ibobi Singh, Nabam Tuki, Virbhadra Singh and Pawan Kumar Chamling are likely to attend the swearing-in ceremony. Several former chief ministers will be also present.

Union ministers Venkaiah Naidu and Rajiv Pratap Rudy will represent the NDA.

Chief minister-designate Nitish Kumar will host the guest for an high tea before the ceremony.