The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha starts on Monday, marked by the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected Members of Parliament, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The session is expected to be turbulent as the opposition plans to challenge the BJP-led NDA government on multiple issues, including the election of the Speaker, alleged irregularities in medical entrance exams, and the appointment of the pro-tem Speaker.
President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath to BJP lawmaker Bhartruhari Mahtab, who has been appointed pro-tem Speaker. Mahtab will then call upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Leader of the Lok Sabha, to take his oath as a member of the House.
On June 26, the Lok Sabha Speaker will be elected, followed by an address from President Murmu to a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament on June 27.
The 18th Lok Sabha session follows the recent general elections where the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 293 seats, while the INDIA bloc won 234 seats, with the Congress holding 99 of them.
The opposition has questioned the BJP’s decision to appoint Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker instead of Congress Member K Suresh, the senior-most member.
President Murmu also appointed Suresh Kodikunnil, Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu, Radha Mohan Singh, Faggan Singh Kulaste, and Sudip Bandyopadhyay to assist the pro-tem Speaker to administer the oath to the newly elected members.
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will run from June 24 to July 3, during which the oath-taking and affirmations of newly elected Members will take place. The 264th session of the Rajya Sabha will commence on June 27 and conclude on July 3.
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The Congress has called a meeting for its newly elected MPs at 10 am at the CPP office in Parliament. Similarly, the Samajwadi Party will hold its parliamentary meeting on Monday in Delhi, chaired by National President Akhilesh Yadav.
The last session of the 17th Lok Sabha, which was the Budget session, took place from January 31 to February 10, 2024.
As the new session begins, the political landscape is set for intense debates and discussions, reflecting the ongoing tensions and differing priorities between the ruling party and the opposition.
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