Patna, June 16: The rush has begun among the JD(U) MLAs to fill up the Lucky XI in the cabinet.

Following the party’s pullout from the NDA, existing cabinet ministers are trying to push names to replace the 11 berths — occupied by the BJP members — with fellow MLAs who are either in the chief minister’s good book or fulfil the “caste quota criteria” with competence.

There was even talks of a renowned economist who is likely to be asked to step in Sushil Kumar Modi’s shoes as the finance minister. The economist, however, denied there was such a move. In absence of Modi, Satish Shah (MLA from Laukaha in Madhubani), being a Baniya, can be given a berth.

According to sources, the name of dissident party MLA Chhedi Paswan from Kaimur’s Mohania figures prominently in the list. His name is cropping up again because he is a Dalit and a former MP. “To make Chhedi happy, Nitish once again may make him a minister,” said a leader.

Shipping tycoon and MLC Devesh Thakur, a close confidant of Nitish, is all set to return.

To woo back the Rajputs, who apparently voted against the party for fielding a non-Rajput candidate for the Maharajganj bypoll, some party leaders feel Jai Kumar Singh — the MLA from Rohtas’s Dinara — might take a cabinet berth. Singh is also considered close to state JD(U) chief Basistha Narayan Singh.

Once against promoting dynasty politics, Nitish may now induct Rahul Kumar (MLA from Ghosi in Jehanabad district) as the family — Rahul’s father Jagdish Sharma is the Lok Sabha MP from Jehanabad — has strong hold over the Bhumihars. Pawan Kumar Jaiswal (the Independent MLA from Dhaka in East Champaran), who has been following Nitish’s footsteps for quite some time, may also get a berth, said the sources.

Lallan Ram (Kutumba in Aurangabad district) is also a frontrunner to give a positive message to the backward-class people. Barh MLA Gyanendra Singh Gyanu, a very old associate of Nitish from his Samata Party days and a known troubleshooter for the chief minister, may also get a berth.

The police officer-turned-MLA from Obra, Som Prakash Singh, is in focus because he is an Independent.

Dawood Ali (MLA from Dumraon) may find a place to give a loud and clear message among the minority community.

Shravan Kumar (Nalanda MLA), a close aide and same caste of Nitish, can be the last one to fill up the cabinet.