New Delhi, July 8: A day after taking oath as a union cabinet minister, Pashupati Kumar Paras on Thursday took charge as Union Minister of Food Processing Industries. "I thank PM Modi for entrusting me with the responsibility of Ministry of Food Processing Industries," he told ANI.

Forty-three ministers, including seven who were elevated as cabinet ministers, took the oath of office at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the first reshuffle and expansion of the BJP-led Central government's second term. Modi Cabinet Reshuffle: Pashupati Kumar Paras, Hajipur MP and Brother of Late Ram Vilas Paswan, Likely To Emerge As BJP’s Dalit Face in Bihar.

Earlier this month, Paras, the younger brother of LJP founder Ram Vilas Paswan, was recognized as the leader of LJP in Lok Sabha in place of Chirag Paswan after five of the six party MPs gave a letter in his support. Both factions have staked claim to the LJP symbol. Ram Vilas Paswan, who was a union minister in the BJP-led government, passed away in October 2020.

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)