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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 18th Lok Sabha session, emphasizing the need for a responsible opposition and highlighting the importance of building a strong and prosperous India. He also used the occasion to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, calling it a blot on India’s democracy. Modi pledged to work harder and deliver greater results in his third term, focusing on consensus-building and efficient governance.
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha begins today, June 24th, with the newly elected legislators taking their oaths. However, the session is anticipated to be dominated by opposition concerns over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG and UGC-NET exams, and the recent tragic train accident in West Bengal. The opposition is likely to hold the government accountable for these issues, raising questions about exam integrity and railway safety measures.
The first session of India’s 18th Lok Sabha begins today with the oath-taking ceremony for newly elected members, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The session is expected to be eventful, with the opposition INDIA bloc planning to target the NDA government on issues like rising prices and exam irregularities. The session will also see the election of the Lok Sabha Speaker and a presidential address.
Today, June 24, India witnesses a flurry of significant events across various sectors including business, politics, law, sports, and space. Key highlights include Adani Ports’ entry into the Sensex, IPOs from Sylvan Plyboard and Shivalic Power Control, the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, and protests against the NEET exam row. Meanwhile, astronauts will conduct spacewalks outside the International Space Station, and the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite launches in India.
With the post of Deputy Speaker likely to remain vacant, opposition parties may nominate a candidate for the position of Speaker in the 18th Lok Sabha. This development comes after BJP’s Om Birla, who served as Speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha, was elected from Kota in the recent polls. The election for the Speaker’s post will be held on June 26. Despite gaining 233 seats in the Lok Sabha polls, the opposition’s INDIA bloc fell short of forming a majority government, with the NDA returning to power for a third term. Both NDA and INDIA are keen on securing the Speaker’s post, which symbolizes strength and control over the legislative process in the Lok Sabha. The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will be held from June 24 to July 3, with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint sitting of both houses on June 27.
Amidst reports of disappointment after being passed over for a Rajya Sabha nomination in favor of Sunetra Pawar, NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal expressed his aspiration to serve as an MP on Friday. Bhujbal had initially sought the nomination but acknowledged the party’s decision to choose Pawar as only one candidate could be selected from the 13 contenders. Despite not receiving a ticket, Bhujbal maintains his loyalty to the party and respects collective decisions. He also made it known that he was prepared to contest the Lok Sabha polls from the Nashik constituency but withdrew his efforts due to delays and perceived humiliation. The Rajya Sabha bye-election was necessitated by Praful Patel’s resignation, and Bhujbal’s presence during Sunetra Pawar’s nomination filing is noted, while the absence of Shiv Sena (Eknath) and BJP leaders was conspicuous.
Despite facing criticism, BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan has proven his detractors wrong by winning the Vidisha Lok Sabha seat for a sixth time with a record-breaking margin. His unwavering commitment to addressing the needs of the people has solidified his position as a prominent leader in Madhya Pradesh politics, leading to his appointment as a Union cabinet minister for the first time.
