The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha is set to commence today, June 24, with the oath-taking ceremony for the newly elected legislators. The election of the Speaker is scheduled for June 26, with President Droupadi Murmu expected to address Parliament on June 27. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to respond to President Murmu’s speech on July 2, addressing the 18th Lok Sabha, followed by an address to the Rajya Sabha the next day. However, the session is anticipated to be dominated by the opposition, who are likely to raise serious concerns over the recent fiasco surrounding the NEET and UGC-NET exams, as well as the tragic train accident in West Bengal.
The UGC cancelled the UGC-NET examination on June 19, just a day after it was held, following allegations of irregularities in the medical entrance exam NEET. There are strong indications that the integrity of both exams was compromised, and the opposition is poised to use this issue to put the government on the defensive.
The tragic accident of the Kolkata-bound Kanchanjunga Express, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 10 passengers, was initially attributed to human error. However, the incident highlights glaring, unresolved railway safety concerns. The opposition party leaders are likely to challenge the government on this issue, demanding accountability and concrete action. Initial investigations suggest that a goods train passenger disregarded a signal and collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjungha Express near North Bengal’s Jalpaiguri station on June 17.
The ruling party is likely to face intense scrutiny over the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 exams, especially during the upcoming Lok Sabha session. Nearly 24 lakh candidates participated in the NEET-UG exam 2024, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 5. The results, announced on June 4, sparked nationwide outrage due to allegations of irregularities and accusations of paper leaks.
The controversy extends beyond the NEET-UG 2024 exam, as several other examinations have been postponed or cancelled due to suspicions of paper leaks and charges of irregularities. The UGC-NET exam, conducted to determine eligibility for ‘Assistant Professor’ and ‘Junior Research Fellowship’ positions in Indian universities, was cancelled amidst allegations that the exam’s integrity was compromised. Reports suggest the UGC-NET exam paper was leaked 48 hours prior to the exam and sold on the dark web.
The first day of the Lok Sabha session is likely to be further marred by the Opposition’s protest over the appointment of BJP leader Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker. The controversy is likely to cast a shadow over the proceedings as the opposition argues that Congress member K Suresh was the more qualified candidate for the pro-tem Speaker position. Suresh is an eight-time member of the Lok Sabha, while Mahtab has been elected seven times consecutively. In response to this controversy, INDIA bloc MPs are expected to refuse to assist Mahtab during the oath-taking ceremony of other MPs.
