Senior BJP leader and Gaya City MLA Prem Kumar is set to become the Speaker of the 18th Bihar Legislative Assembly, which commenced on Monday with the swearing-in of newly elected members.
He filed his nomination papers for the Speaker’s post soon after taking the oath as a member of the House. Deputy chief ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, along with several other senior NDA ministers and MLAs, were present during the nomination process.
With the NDA holding 202 of the 243 seats in the Bihar Assembly, Prem Kumar’s election as Speaker is almost assured. If the opposition does not field a candidate, he will be elected unopposed.
After Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary was appointed the new Home Minister, giving the BJP direct oversight of law and order, political observers had speculated that the Speaker’s post might go to the JD(U).
However, Dr. Prem Kumar’s nomination indicates a clear shift within the NDA government, suggesting that the BJP is moving closer to the driver’s seat in Bihar.
Dr. Prem Kumar is among the most senior leaders of the Bihar BJP. He has won the Gaya City Assembly seat nine times in a row.
Over the years, he has held several key portfolios under Nitish Kumar, including Agriculture, Forest and Environment, Cooperation, PHED, and PWD. In 2015, he also served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly. Notably, he has never been involved in any controversy.
Considering his seniority and deep understanding of parliamentary procedures, the NDA has placed its confidence in him.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Prem Kumar said, “Today I filed my nomination for the post of Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, and the result will be declared tomorrow. I welcome the decision of our leaders and express my gratitude to them.”
He added, “I have entered the Assembly after winning the election for the ninth consecutive time. For this, I express my gratitude to the people of my constituency and to the party leadership.”