18th Lok Sabha session : opens with anticipated clashes between the government and the Opposition over irregularities in exams. The session is set to address key issues and recalibrate the balance of power.
Modi Government and Opposition Set to Clash as 18th Lok Sabha Opens Today
Inaugural Special Session Under a Shadow
On Monday morning, the 18th Lok Sabha will commence its inaugural special session under a cloud of tension. The government and the Opposition are expected to clash over several issues, primarily the irregularities affecting some of India’s premier examinations. This session is poised to set the stage for a recalibration of the balance of power between the government and the Opposition.
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Key Events and Oath Ceremony
President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath to Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha. This development is expected to spark a face-off between the government and the Opposition. Following this, all newly elected members of the Lower House, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will take their oaths.
The two-day oath ceremony will be followed by the election of the Lok Sabha Speaker on June 26 and President Murmu’s address to the joint sitting of both houses on June 27. For the first time in a decade, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha will also be picked. The session will conclude on July 3 and reassemble for the monsoon sitting on July 22.
Opposition’s Agenda and Protests
The Opposition is expected to corner the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on issues such as price rise, food inflation, deaths due to an unprecedented heatwave, and recent irregularities in the conduct of examinations. These issues have caused widespread unrest among millions of students and raised concerns about the efficacy of institutions mandated to conduct these exams.
Last Friday, the CSIR-UGC-NET examination for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), lectureship (LS), and assistant professor posts was canceled by the National Testing Agency (NTA). A day later, the National Board of Examinations (NBE) deferred the National Eligibility Entrance Test, Postgraduate (NEET-PG) exam, a day before it was scheduled.
For weeks, protests have swept across India as thousands of students took to the streets amid allegations of question paper leaks, inflated marking, and arbitrary allowance of grace marks. Opposition parties have called for a Supreme Court-monitored probe into these allegations. The Supreme Court is set to hear a raft of petitions on the issue on July 8.
Opposition Leaders Speak Out
Leaders of the Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and the Trinamool Congress, who are part of the INDIA bloc, have indicated that they will raise the issue affecting 3.7 million students. In a post on X, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, “In the NEET Scam, the buck stops at the doorstep of the top echelons of the Modi Govt. Shuffling the bureaucrats is no solution to the endemic problem in the Education system rotted by the BJP. NTA was projected to be an autonomous body, but in reality, was made to serve the devious interests of the BJP/RSS.”
Pro-tem Speaker Controversy
Differences have also emerged between the government and the Opposition regarding the selection of the pro-tem speaker. The appointment of seven-term lawmaker Bhartruhari Mahtab, who switched sides from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has sparked controversy. Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju’s clarification that the government followed the rules of appointing the longest-serving member with consecutive terms has not convinced the Opposition, which backs eight-term Congress MP K Suresh.
Rijiju stated that Mahtab’s seven uninterrupted terms as Lok Sabha member made him eligible for the post, while Suresh lost elections in 1998 and 2004. Three Opposition leaders—TR Baalu of the DMK, K Suresh of the Congress, and Sudip Bandopadhyay of the Trinamool Congress—who are in the panel to assist the pro-tem Speaker, have indicated that they may not perform their duties as a mark of protest.
Session Proceedings
The Lok Sabha proceedings will begin with the oath-taking ceremony by Modi, the Leader of the House, followed by the panel of chairpersons appointed by the President to assist the pro-tem Speaker. The election to pick the Lok Sabha Speaker will be held on Wednesday, followed by Modi introducing his council of ministers to the House.
In 2021, the Opposition prevented the PM from introducing the ministers inducted after a reshuffle. On the first day of Parliament’s monsoon session, the Opposition began raising slogans about rising fuel prices, preventing the customary introduction of ministers. This was not the first time such an event unfolded in Parliament. In 2004, then PM Manmohan Singh was not allowed to introduce the ministers in his Cabinet after the BJP protested the inclusion of Mohammed Taslimuddin and Lalu Prasad in the council of ministers.
Government’s Strategy
Anticipating the Opposition’s aggressive stance, the government has prepared its strategy. A party leader mentioned, “We have reached out to them (Opposition). Last week minister Rijiju met the Congress President (Kharge) and expressed hope that the two sides will work together.” On Sunday, the minister met TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay. In a post on X, he said, “Met Sudip Bandyopadhyay Ji, leader of All India Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party. Sudip da has a long-standing Parliamentary career, and he is known for his calm and dignified conduct in the Parliament. The 18th Lok Sabha will hugely benefit from his experiences.”
Challenges for the BJP
The BJP, which won 240 of the Lok Sabha’s 543 seats during the general elections, had to rely on its allies to form the government. This contrasts with the party’s performance in the 2014 and 2019 polls when it stormed to power with 272 and 303 MPs, respectively. However, its alliance partners were accommodated in the Union council of ministers.
Given a resurgent Opposition that has grown in strength, the BJP is expected to face challenges in passing bills during the 18th Lok Sabha. The party is also unlikely to receive support from parties like the BJD and the YSRCP, which were not part of the NDA but supported the government in previous terms, helping pass crucial bills such as outlawing triple talaq and the abrogation of Article 370.
Although allies such as the Janata Dal United, the Telugu Desam Party, and 12 others that comprise the NDA have assured the BJP of unconditional support, there is lingering worry within the party over their response to the issue of irregularities in conducting examinations.
MPs with Agricultural Background
“There is pressure on the party in Bihar…but all discussions and decisions will be taken as partners,” said a JD(U) leader, speaking on condition of anonymity. The allies are also expected to raise issues pertinent to their respective states and constituencies. Both the JD(U) and TDP have 28 lawmakers between them and played a key role in helping the BJP form the government at the center for the third time. The two parties have been upfront about their demands for financial assistance for their respective states.
TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has instructed his MPs to focus on raising issues pertinent to the state, including securing funds for the capital city of Amaravati and the Polavaram project. Bihar lawmakers will also raise the issue of financial aid and infrastructure support for development projects and job creation, said the JD-U leader quoted above.
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FAQs : 18th Lok Sabha session
1. What is the significance of the 18th Lok Sabha opening session?
The opening session marks the beginning of a new parliamentary term, with the government and opposition setting the stage for legislative priorities and political debates.
2. Who will administer the oath to the newly elected members of the Lok Sabha?
President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath to the newly elected members, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
3. What are the key issues to be addressed in the 18th Lok Sabha session?
Key issues include examination irregularities, price rise, food inflation, and the impact of an unprecedented heatwave.
4. Why are examination irregularities a major concern?
Recent examination irregularities have affected millions of students, leading to widespread protests and calls for a Supreme Court-monitored probe.
5. What actions has the government taken regarding examination irregularities?
The National Testing Agency canceled the CSIR-UGC-NET exam and deferred the NEET-PG exam, but these actions have been criticized by the opposition.
6. How does the opposition plan to challenge the government?
The opposition plans to raise the examination issue prominently and has criticized the government’s handling of the National Testing Agency.
7. Who is Bhartruhari Mahtab, and why is his appointment significant?
Bhartruhari Mahtab is a seven-term lawmaker appointed as the pro-tem Speaker, a decision contested by the opposition due to his switch from the Biju Janata Dal to the BJP.
8. What is the role of the pro-tem Speaker?
The pro-tem Speaker administers the oath to newly elected members and presides over the election of the new Speaker.
9. When will the election for the Lok Sabha Speaker take place?
The election for the Lok Sabha Speaker is scheduled for June 26.
10. What is the historical context of parliamentary disruptions in India?
There have been instances where the opposition successfully disrupted proceedings, such as in 2021 and 2004, when Prime Ministers Modi and Manmohan Singh faced protests.
11. How many seats did the BJP win in the recent general elections?
The BJP won 240 out of 543 seats in the recent general elections.
12. What challenges does the BJP face in this session?
The BJP faces challenges from a resurgent opposition and the need to secure support from allies to pass key legislation.
13. Who are the key allies of the BJP in this session?
Key allies include the Janata Dal United (JD(U)) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), among others.
14. What demands have the BJP’s allies raised?
Allies have demanded financial assistance and development projects for their respective states.
15. How will the government handle the opposition’s aggressive stance?
The government is prepared with a strategy to address the opposition’s concerns and ensure smooth parliamentary proceedings.
16. What is the significance of President Murmu’s address to the joint sitting of both houses?
The President’s address outlines the government’s legislative agenda and priorities for the session.
17. When will the monsoon sitting of the Lok Sabha reconvene?
The monsoon sitting of the Lok Sabha will reconvene on July 22.
18. How have students reacted to the examination irregularities?
Students have protested nationwide, demanding accountability and a fair examination process.
19. What role does the Supreme Court play in the examination issue?
The Supreme Court is set to hear petitions regarding the examination irregularities on July 8.
20. What are the implications of this session for India’s political landscape?
The session is crucial for shaping legislative priorities, addressing key issues, and determining the balance of power between the government and the opposition.
