18th Lok Sabha Opens Today Amidst Anticipated Government-Opposition Clash
The 18th Lok Sabha will commence on Monday morning, marking the start of a special parliamentary session likely to witness intense government-opposition confrontations over various critical issues, including significant examination irregularities in India’s premier exams.
Inaugural Session and Oath Ceremony
President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha. This development is expected to trigger a confrontation 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 oath-taking ceremony will span two days, 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. Additionally, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha will be appointed for the first time in a decade. The session will conclude on July 3, with plans to reconvene for the monsoon session on July 22.
Anticipated Government-Opposition Clashes
The session is expected to recalibrate the power dynamics between the government and the opposition. The opposition will likely target the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on issues such as price rise, food inflation, heatwave-related deaths, and recent examination irregularities, which have caused unrest among millions of students and raised questions about the efficacy of examination-conducting institutions.
Recent Examination Controversies
The CSIR-UGC-NET examination, conducted for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), lectureship (LS), and assistant professor posts in colleges and universities, was recently canceled by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Shortly after, the National Board of Examinations (NBE) deferred the National Eligibility Entrance Test, Postgraduate (NEET-PG) exam a day before it was scheduled. These issues have sparked widespread protests across India, with opposition parties calling for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the allegations of question paper leaks, inflated marking, and arbitrary allowance of grace marks. The Supreme Court is set to hear related petitions on July 8.
Political Responses and Allegations
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, in a recent post, blamed the Modi government for the NEET scam, criticizing the systemic issues in the education system. Differences have also emerged between the government and the opposition over the selection of the pro-tem speaker, with opposition parties backing eight-term Congress MP K Suresh over the appointed seven-term lawmaker Bhartruhari Mahtab.
Government Strategy and Outreach
Anticipating the opposition’s aggressive stance, the government is prepared with a strategy to manage potential disruptions. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju recently met with Congress President Kharge and expressed hope for collaborative work. Efforts to reach out to other opposition leaders, such as TMC’s Sudip Bandyopadhyay, have also been made to ensure smooth proceedings.
Historical Context and Future Challenges
Historically, there have been instances where the Prime Minister was prevented from introducing newly inducted ministers due to opposition protests. The BJP, having won 240 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats, will face challenges from a resurgent opposition in passing crucial bills. Unlike in previous terms, support from parties such as the BJD and YSRCP, which were not part of the NDA but aided in crucial bill passages, is uncertain.
Opposition and Allies’ Stance
Opposition parties, especially those in the INDIA bloc, have indicated plans to raise issues affecting millions of students. Allies such as the JD(U) and TDP are expected to support the BJP but will likely press for issues pertinent to their states, including financial assistance and development projects. The internal pressures within these parties could influence their stance on the examination irregularities and other critical issues.
18th Lok Sabha Sessions would be worth watching
As the 18th Lok Sabha session begins, the balance of power between the government and opposition will be tested. The government’s ability to navigate the session smoothly amidst significant opposition will be crucial in addressing the pressing issues and ensuring effective governance. The outcome of this session could shape the political landscape and influence future parliamentary proceedings.
