BIHAR ASSEMBLY BEGINS NEW SESSION, MLAs SWORN IN

Veteran BJP leader Prem Kumar filed his nomination papers for Speaker

- AGENCIES

The first session of the newly elected Bihar Legislative Assembly began on Monday with newly elected members being administered the oath of office.

They were sworn in by Pro-tem Speaker Narendra Narayan Yadav, who informed the House that members could take oath in Hindi, English, Urdu, Sanskrit or Maithili, and the process would begin with cabinet ministers. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who has been elected from Tarapur assembly seat, was the first to take the oath, followed by fellow Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha, who has retained Lakhisarai for a fourth consecutive term. After taking oath, the ministers greeted the pro-tem speaker and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who, incidentally, is a member of the Legislative Council. Next in line for taking oath was veteran BJP leader Prem Kumar, who is understood to be the main contender for the Speaker’s post.