Chief minister Nitish Kumar today appointed his former cabinet colleague and senior JDU MLA Shyam Rajak as the party's deputy leader in the Assembly - a cabinet-rank position - in what political observers felt was an appeasement move ahead of the House session commencing from February 25.

Though Shyam never spoke openly against the party leadership, he was believed to be sulking after Nitish ignored him while forming his new cabinet. Shyam's exclusion from the cabinet had surprised even leaders who boasted of enjoying close proximity to the chief minister.

Shyam, a Mahadalit leader representing the Phulwarisharif Assembly seat, was food and consumers' affair minister in the previous council of ministers headed by Nitish and later Jitan Ram Manjhi. When Manjhi and Nitish fell out, the JDU leadership used Rajak to counter Manjhi's clout with Mahadalits.

"I have full faith in party's leader. I will happily serve it in whatever position I am given," Shyam said, confirming his appointment.

Shyam used to be the right-hand man of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, and had crossed over to Nitish's party ahead of the 2010 Assembly elections, drawing invectives from Lalu.

However, Shyam played a key role in bringing Lalu and Nitish closer after the JDU's and RJD's debacle in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Perhaps, Nitish has rewarded Shyam for being patient even when the chips were down for him.