The 2024 Indian general election saw a high voter turnout, indicating continued engagement with the democratic process despite concerns about EVMs, party defections, and the quality of elected representatives. While the BJP emerged as the single largest party, the Lokniti-CSDS survey revealed anxieties about vindictive politics, the need for a strong opposition, and the importance of addressing unemployment and price rise.
Jyotir Math’s Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has defended Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks in the Lok Sabha, stating that Hinduism does not endorse violence, fear, or falsehoods. He asserted that Gandhi’s statement was directed towards the ruling party, not Hinduism, and criticized the selective editing of speeches for spreading misinformation.
The BJP has criticized Rahul Gandhi for allegedly encouraging opposition MPs to disrupt Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech in Lok Sabha, drawing parallels to Sonia Gandhi’s behavior towards former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. BJP leaders have questioned Rahul Gandhi’s suitability as Leader of the Opposition and highlighted PM Modi’s response to the protests, including a veiled jibe at Rahul Gandhi’s leadership.
Kashmir MP Rashid Engineer, currently in jail on terror-funding charges, was granted two hours of custody parole by a Delhi court to take his oath as a Member of Parliament on July 5th. The decision came after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) gave its consent under certain conditions, including no media interaction. Engineer Rashid, who defeated Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, contested from Tihar jail, where he has been incarcerated for the past five years.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led NDA government, accusing them of silencing opposition voices, ignoring critical issues like Manipur, and failing to deliver on promises of women empowerment. She highlighted the BJP’s loss of 63 MPs in the recent elections, attributing it to their attempt to silence her during the previous Lok Sabha session. Moitra also criticized the government’s infrastructure projects, including the Vande Bharat Bullet Train Project, citing recent train accidents and safety concerns.
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, launched a scathing attack on the Agniveer scheme and the BJP-led government, accusing them of attacking the idea of India. He alleged that the Agniveer scheme treats soldiers as ‘use and throw laborers’ and criticized the BJP for their handling of the scheme. The defense minister, Rajnath Singh, countered Gandhi’s claims, defending the scheme and highlighting the financial assistance provided to the families of Agniveers who sacrifice their lives.
BJP leader Om Birla was re-elected as the Lok Sabha Speaker on Wednesday after the ruling NDA and opposition INDIA bloc failed to reach a consensus on the selection. Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in Birla’s leadership, while the opposition voiced concerns about fair representation and potential disruptions. Birla vowed to maintain a high standard of parliamentary tradition and ensure a platform for all voices.
NDA nominee Om Birla was elected as the Lok Sabha Speaker on June 26th, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi shaking hands before escorting him to the chair. The opposition INDIA bloc, however, voiced concerns about stifling dissent and expressed hopes for a more inclusive approach during the new term.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will propose Om Birla as the Lok Sabha Speaker on Wednesday, with the election scheduled for 11 am. The ruling NDA holds a significant majority, making Birla’s election highly likely. However, the opposition alliance has fielded Kodikunnil Suresh as their candidate, leading to a contest for the position.
Rahul Gandhi has been appointed as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, a position he last held in 2014. Congress party members expressed confidence that he will be a strong voice for the people and hold the government accountable.
