Patna: Former BJP MLC Devesh Kumar, whose resignation from the legislative council last month enabled state minister Deepak Prakash, son of RLM president Upendra Kushwaha, to enter the legislature, was on Monday appointed deputy chairman of the Bihar State Planning Board.The appointment was among six made by the Bihar govt to various bodies. Devesh’s tenure will be for three years from the date of joining, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The post carries the rank of a cabinet minister.The appointments also brought former CM Nitish Kumar’s former security officer Harendra Bahadur Singh into the spotlight after he was named general secretary of the Bihar Rajya Nagrik Parishad.Harendra began his career in the Bihar Police and was assigned as Nitish’s official govt bodyguard. Over nearly 30 years, he remained closely associated with Nitish, rising from constable to sub-inspector. Even after retiring from police service, he continued to oversee Nitish’s security and personal arrangements. As general secretary of the Nagrik Parishad, Harendra will receive monthly remuneration equivalent to the salary of Bihar Public Service Commission members, according to an official notification.Three others — Alok Kumar Singh, state president of RLM; former minister Anil Kumar; and Surendra Vivek, state president of LJP(RV) — were appointed members of the state-level programme implementation committee. They will receive the status of deputy ministers.Ajay Kumar Singh, husband of former JD(U) MP Kavita Singh, was appointed vice president of the Bihar Rajya Nagrik Parishad. He will receive salary and perks equivalent to those of the chairperson of the Bihar Public Service Commission.Devesh, a journalist-turned-politician and grandson of freedom fighter Yamuna Karjee, has served the BJP in Bihar as spokesman, vice president and general secretary. He is currently the BJP’s in charge of Mizoram.Nominated to the Bihar Legislative Council by the governor in 2021 for a term ending in 2027, Devesh resigned last month, calling it a voluntary decision. His resignation enabled Deepak to enter the legislature.In a social media post, Devesh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, BJP president Nitin Nabin and CM Samrat Choudhary, who heads the board.
