KEEPING IT FAIR

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, on March 11, inducted party MLA Lacy Singh as a minister in his government. This came just a day after the resignation of Industries and Disaster Management Minister Renu Kushwaha. Seventeen other seats have been lying vacant in his Cabinet since June 16, when BJP snapped ties with JD(U). A master of symbolism, it seems that Nitish inducted Singh to have at least one woman in his government so that his image as a supporter of women’s empowerment isn’t jeopardised. His only other token woman, Parveen Amanullah, resigned last month to join AAP.