How Did Upendra Kushwaha's RLM Secure a Key Ministry in Bihar?
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Synopsis
In a surprising development, Upendra Kushwaha's RLM has clinched a significant Ministry with a budget that outshines its smaller political counterparts. This allocation raises questions about political dynamics and budget distribution in Bihar's coalition government.
Key Takeaways
- RLM's Ministry budget is Rs 11,302.52 crore.
- Deepak Prakash leads the Panchayati Raj Department.
- JD-U controls the largest share of Bihar's budget.
- RLM has outperformed LJP-RV and HAM in budget allocation.
- Coalition dynamics in Bihar remain complex and strategic.
Patna, Nov 22 (NationPress) In a surprising turn of events, the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), spearheaded by Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha, has secured a Ministry with a significantly larger budget despite its representation of only four MLAs in the Bihar Assembly. This contrasts sharply with smaller NDA partners such as Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP-RV) and Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM).
While the BJP and JD-U hold the majority of the more lucrative Ministries, the LJP-RV, HAM, and RLM collectively manage just four state departments. However, the RLM's budget allocation surpasses that of both LJP-RV and HAM, despite having the least number of MLAs.
Deepak Prakash from RLM, who is not an MLA or MLC, has been appointed to the Bihar Cabinet overseeing the Panchayati Raj Department—one of the highest-budget ministries among the smaller alliance members.
The annual budget for the Panchayati Raj Department under Deepak Prakash for the 2025-26 Financial Year is a staggering Rs 11,302.52 crore.
In contrast, the Sugarcane Industry Department, managed by LJP-RV's Sanjay Kumar, has a mere budget of Rs 192.23 crore.
The Public Health Engineering Department, also under LJP-RV's Sanjay Kumar Singh, boasts an annual budget of Rs 2,702.63 crore.
The Minor Water Resources Department, led by HAM's Santosh Kumar Suman, has an annual budget of Rs 1,839.11 crore.
This indicates that the budget for Deepak Prakash's department is nearly six times greater than that of Santosh Suman's Minor Water Resources Department and approximately three-and-a-half times larger than the combined budgets of LJP-RV's departments.
Despite the BJP's substantial presence in the Bihar Cabinet with two Deputy Chief Ministers and 14 Ministers, JD-U continues to dominate in terms of overall budgetary authority.
Of the total budget for the Bihar government, JD-U commands a substantial 65 percent share, followed by BJP with 29.22 percent, RLM with 3.56 percent, LJP-RV with 0.91 percent, and HAM with 0.58 percent.
This allocation underscores that Upendra Kushwaha's RLM, despite being numerically the smallest among the NDA's primary allies, has managed to secure a department of massive strategic importance.
Point of View
It’s vital to recognize that while RLM’s budgetary gain is significant, the overall political landscape remains complex. The JD-U's dominance in budget control indicates a nuanced coalition dynamic that warrants close observation as it unfolds.
NationPress
22/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the budget for RLM's Ministry?
The budget for RLM's Ministry, specifically the Panchayati Raj Department, is Rs 11,302.52 crore for the Financial Year 2025-26.
Who leads the Panchayati Raj Department in Bihar?
Deepak Prakash, a member of RLM, leads the Panchayati Raj Department in Bihar.
What is the budget allocation for LJP-RV's departments?
The combined budgets of LJP-RV's departments are significantly lower than RLM's, with the Sugarcane Industry Department at Rs 192.23 crore and the Public Health Engineering Department at Rs 2,702.63 crore.
What percentage of the total Bihar government budget does JD-U control?
JD-U controls 65 percent of the total budget of the Bihar government.
How does RLM's budget compare to its allies?
Despite having the fewest MLAs among the NDA allies, RLM's budget is substantially larger than those of LJP-RV and HAM.
