In a display of rare political consensus, the Bihar Legislative Assembly on Tuesday unanimously elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart Prem Kumar as its new Speaker. The veteran leader, who recently secured a record ninth victory from the Gaya Town constituency, was the sole candidate nominated for the prestigious position.
A Unanimous Voice Vote and Bipartisan Gesture
Pro-tem Speaker Narendra Narayan Yadav informed the House that only one nomination had been filed for the Speaker's post. Consequently, Prem Kumar was declared elected unanimously through a voice vote, with members from both the treasury and opposition benches lending their support. The announcement was immediately followed by resonant chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Jai Shri Ram" echoing through the assembly hall.
In a significant gesture symbolizing the dignity of the Chair, the newly elected Speaker was escorted to his seat by a unique duo: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. Following a request from the Chief Minister, all 242 members of the House, along with cabinet ministers, rose to give a standing ovation to the 70-year-old politician.
Prem Kumar's Maiden Address and Promise of Impartiality
Upon formally assuming the Speaker's role, Prem Kumar addressed the assembly, expressing gratitude for the unanimous trust. "Being elected unanimously is a matter of pride for me, but more than that, it is an indication of responsibility," he stated. He emphasized that the essence of democracy lies in diverse ideologies converging for the state's development.
Outlining his priorities, the Speaker committed to upholding the House's traditions and the Constitution. "My first duty will be to give every member the opportunity to express their views with their rights and dignity intact," he assured. He vowed to treat both the treasury and opposition benches with equal importance, promising impartiality from the Chair.
Leaders' Expectations and House Proceedings
Earlier, Tejashwi Yadav, while congratulating Prem Kumar, reminded him of his roots in the "land of knowledge and salvation (Gaya)" and expressed the expectation that he would conduct proceedings fairly under the rules. He specifically urged the Speaker to use his authority to protect the opposition, given the ruling alliance's numerical strength.
The day's proceedings also included the swearing-in of members who could not take the oath on the inaugural day of the session on Monday. Before adjourning the House, Speaker Prem Kumar thanked all members for their trust and appealed for their cooperation in fulfilling the legislative agenda for Bihar's progress.
