The inauguration of the 18th Lok Sabha on June 24 will see newly-elected MPs, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, taking their oaths. The session is anticipated to be contentious, with the Opposition set to address the pro-tem Speaker’s appointment and issues surrounding the NEET exam.
Controversy Over Pro-tem Speaker Appointment
BJP leader and seven-term MP Bhartruhari Mahtab’s appointment as the pro-tem Speaker has sparked a debate. The Opposition criticizes this move, arguing that Congress member K. Suresh was unfairly bypassed for the position.
Presidential Oath Ceremony
President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath to Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Mahtab will then proceed to Parliament House to initiate the Lok Sabha session at 11 a.m.
Highlights from the First Session
- Oath-Taking Ceremony: The inaugural session will feature the swearing-in of newly-elected MPs. Among them are 74 women MPs, a slight decrease from the previous Lok Sabha’s record of 77 women MPs. West Bengal has the highest number of women MPs, and the Trinamool Congress boasts the highest proportion of female MPs.
- NEET Exam Controversy: The session is expected to see significant debate over the alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities and the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam. The Opposition, particularly the INDIA bloc, plans to hold the government accountable for these issues.
- Muslim Representation: The 18th Lok Sabha has the lowest percentage of Muslim MPs in six decades, with only 24 Muslim representatives (4.4%) despite the community constituting over 15% of India’s population.
- Session Agenda: The first session, spanning from June 24 to July 3, includes the election of the Lok Sabha Speaker on June 26 and President Murmu’s address to a joint sitting of both Houses on June 27.
