PATNA, June 14 -- Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) president and Rajya Sabha member Upendra Kushwaha has strongly defended his son Deepak Prakash's position in the Samrat Choudhary-led NDA government, declaring that the alliance appointed him and he will remain in the post as long as the NDA wants. Speaking to media persons in New Delhi on Saturday while filing his nomination for re-election as national president of the RLM, Kushwaha said, "Prakash will continue as the minister as long as the NDA leaders wish it. As far as becoming a member of the state legislature is concerned, he would be sworn in when it is required." His remarks come at a time when questions are being raised over Prakash's continuation in the cabinet. Prakash was sworn in as a minister on May 7 in the new BJP-led government without being a member of either the Bihar legislative assembly or the legislative council. He had earlier served as panchayati raj minister in the Nitish Kumar government from November 2025 until the cabinet was dissolved in May this year following the political realignment. Uncertainty over Prakash's position intensified after nine NDA leaders and one RJD candidate filed nominations on June 8 for legislative council seats under the assembly quota and were elected unopposed on June 11. However, chief minister Samrat Choudhary appeared unruffled by the issue. During a luncheon meeting with senior journalists in Patna on Friday, Choudhary sidestepped a direct question on Prakash's continuance. He drew from his own experience, noting that he too had served as a minister for five months and 28 days without being a member of the state legislature. The CM indicated that Prakash would continue in the cabinet for the time being. The informal interaction saw Choudhary field questions on various governance matters, including strict enforcement of prohibition and the drive against illegal encroachments on government land, while keeping a measured tone on the ministerial row. The matter has taken a serious turn with a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Supreme Court challenging Prakash's appointment as minister on two separate occasions - first in the Nitish Kumar government and again in the Samrat Choudhary regime - despite him not being an elected member of either house of the legislature....