Patna: Dr Prem Kumar, one of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s longest-serving legislators in Bihar, has been elected the new Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly. A nine-time MLA from Gaya Town, he first entered the House in 1990 on a BJP ticket and has never lost an election in 35 years.
A prominent political figure from the state’s extremely backward communities, Prem Kumar has long been recognised as the BJP’s most influential EBC face in Bihar. His political roots trace back to the JP movement, where he began his public life as a student activist.
A career spanning ministries and leadership roles
Over the past three decades, Prem Kumar has handled more than ten ministerial portfolios in various Nitish Kumar-led governments. His ministerial assignments have included the Cooperative, Agriculture, Roads, Urban Development and Housing, and Fisheries departments.
He also served as Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly between 2015 and 2017.
Prem Kumar returned to the Assembly in 2025 after winning the Gaya Town seat yet again, adding to victories recorded in 1990, 1995, 2000, February 2005, October 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020.
Academic background and early activism
Prem Kumar holds a PhD from Magadh University, along with degrees in law and history. During his student years he was active in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the BJP’s student wing, before rising steadily through the party’s organisation.
Warm reactions in Gaya
Local business and civil society representatives in Gaya welcomed his elevation as Speaker. Dr Kaushlendra Pratap of the Bihar Chambers of Commerce, social worker Anoop Kedia, Vipendra Agarwal, women’s activist Shubhra Gupta and youth leader Aditya Sachdeva praised his “gentle nature”, accessibility and long-standing record of public service.
