Patna: In a historic first for Bihar politics, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s newly-expanded cabinet has four ministers hailing from a single district – the politically vibrant Vaishali.
The oath-taking ceremony at Gandhi Maidan on Wednesday saw Sanjay Singh (LJP-Ramvilas), Deepak Prakash, Lakhendra Kumar Raushan (BJP), and Rama Devi Nishad (BJP) being sworn in as first-time ministers, sparking widespread celebrations across the district.
Vaishali, often called a “VIP district” for its electoral influence, has never witnessed such concentrated representation in the state cabinet. Residents and leaders hailed it as a “golden moment” that promised faster development and a stronger voice for local issues in Patna’s power corridors.
Sanjay Singh, the firebrand Mahua MLA who famously defeated RJD’s Tej Pratap Yadav, brings grassroots energy. Lakhendra Raushan, a two-time BJP winner from Patepur, rose from a ward member to ministerial rank. Rama Devi Nishad, an influential Mallah community leader from Hajipur and Aurai MLA, carries a rich political legacy through her family. Young engineer Deepak Prakash, son of veteran leader Upendra Kushwaha, entered the cabinet without contesting the assembly polls – a rare feat underscoring the dynasty and merit blend.
Political observers say this Vaishali bonanza reflects Nitish Kumar’s strategic balancing of caste, region, and alliance equations in the NDA government.
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