India, Nov. 21 -- Deepak Prakash, son of Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha, emerged as a surprise pick in the new Nitish Kumar government.

Despite not being an MLA or a member of the Legislative Council, Prakash was sworn in on Thursday as the sole minister from his party by Governor Arif Mohammad Khan.

There had been speculation that Kushwaha's wife, Snehlata, who won the Bihar polls from the Sasaram seat, might find a place in the new cabinet. The RLM, an NDA ally, contested six seats and won four -- Bajpatti, Madhubani, Sasaram and Dinara -- in the assembly elections.

Prakash, relatively unknown in state politics, has only recently returned to India after completing his studies abroad, according to...