PM Modi Addresses Media Ahead of 18th Lok Sabha Session Amid Pro-Tem Speaker Controversy

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha began today, marked by a significant controversy over the appointment of the pro-tem Speaker. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker, a decision that has sparked considerable backlash from the opposition. Traditionally, the most senior MP is appointed as the pro-tem Speaker, and the opposition argued that Congress leader K Suresh, an eighth-term MP, was overlooked in favor of Mahtab, who is a seventh-term MP.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with the newly elected MPs, will take their oaths today. However, the ceremony is set against a backdrop of opposition protest. Members of the Congress and the INDIA bloc have indicated they will abstain from assisting the pro-tem Speaker during the oath-taking process, expressing their dissatisfaction with the BJP’s decision. This move is seen as part of a broader strategy to challenge the ruling NDA government on procedural and governance issues.

The election for the Lok Sabha Speaker is scheduled for June 26, adding another layer of anticipation and potential conflict to the session. The opposition is expected to use this opportunity to address several key issues, including rising prices, food inflation, and recent controversies surrounding exam irregularities. These topics are likely to dominate discussions and set the tone for the session.

Ahead of the session, PM Modi addressed the media, signaling the beginning of the new parliamentary term. The session, which will run until July 3, promises to be contentious, with the opposition poised to confront the government on multiple fronts. The initial days, including today’s oath-taking and the upcoming Speaker election, will likely shape the dynamics and priorities of the 18th Lok Sabha.