Modi 3.0 Faces First Test With Speaker’s Election As Parliament Session Begins

The upcoming proceedings of India’s 18th Lok Sabha are poised for significant milestones starting June 24, with newly elected members scheduled to take their oath of office. Bhartruhari Mahtab, a seven-term Lok Sabha member from the BJP, has been named as the pro tem Speaker, sparking controversy as opposition parties question the selection process.

Kiren Rijiju, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, defended Mahtab’s appointment, highlighting his extensive parliamentary experience spanning seven consecutive terms since 1989. In contrast, Congress leader K. Suresh’s claim to the pro tem Speaker role was dismissed due to his electoral losses in 1998 and 2004, despite now being in his fourth consecutive term.

On June 24, Mahtab will be administered the oath by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Subsequently, he will inaugurate the Lok Sabha session at Parliament House and administer oaths to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other members. A panel of chairpersons, appointed by the President, will assist Mahtab until the election of the Speaker 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), tasked with administering oaths to newly elected Lok Sabha members over the following days.

The election for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker is scheduled for June 26, following which Prime Minister Modi will introduce his Council of Ministers to the House. President Murmu is slated to address a joint session of Parliament on June 27, initiating the Motion of Thanks debate on June 28. The Prime Minister is expected to respond to the debate by July 2 or 3.

Both Houses of Parliament will briefly recess and reconvene on July 22 for the Union Budget presentation, marking the continuation of legislative activities crucial to the functioning of India’s democratic governance.