18th Lok Sabha Session Begins Today

NEW DELHI, June 24: The 18th Lok Sabha session commences today with key agenda items lined up. The session will kick off with newly elected members taking oath, followed by the election of the Lok Sabha Speaker on June 26. President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to address a joint sitting of both Houses on June 27.

A shadow looms over the session due to controversy surrounding the appointment of Bhartruhari Mahtab, a seven-term BJP member, as the Pro-tem Speaker. The decision has drawn criticism from opposition parties, particularly from Congress member K Suresh, who claimed his candidature was overlooked.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended Mahtab’s appointment, citing his uninterrupted seven terms in the Lok Sabha as eligibility. Mahtab is set to be administered the oath as Pro-tem Speaker by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday.

Following the oath-taking ceremony, Mahtab will convene the Lok Sabha’s first sitting at Parliament House at 11 am. The session will begin with a moment of silence to mark the occasion, followed by the Lok Sabha Secretary General presenting the list of elected members.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as Leader of the Lok Sabha, will be sworn in as a member following these proceedings. Mahtab will also administer the oath to a panel of chairpersons appointed by the President to assist in conducting House affairs until the Speaker’s election on June 26.

The panel includes Kodikunnil Suresh (Congress), T R Baalu (DMK), Radha Mohan Singh, Faggan Singh Kulaste (both BJP), and Sudip Bandyopadhyay (TMC).

Subsequently, the Pro-tem Speaker will administer the oath to members of the Council of Ministers, who will take their oaths in alphabetical order over the next two days.

On June 26, the election for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker will take place, followed by the Prime Minister introducing his council of ministers to the House. President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the joint sitting of both Houses on June 27 will mark the next major event, with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to her address scheduled to commence on June 28.

The Houses are expected to briefly recess and reconvene on July 22 for the Union Budget presentation.

This session marks the beginning of legislative business for the 18th Lok Sabha, setting the stage for crucial debates and decisions ahead.

Source PTI