The stand-off between the government and the Opposition over the appointment of pro tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab came to a head with INDIA bloc MPs, who are part of a panel to assist the seven-term MP in his role, deciding not to perform their duties, sources told India Today TV on Monday.
The Congress has been sparring with the BJP after Bhratruhari Mehtab was made the pro tem Speaker, a crucial role in the initial days of the new Lok Sabha, instead of eight-time Congress MP K Suresh.
The Congress claimed the appointment of Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro tem Speaker deviates from the tradition of appointing the senior-most member of the Lok Sabha.
The government defended Mahtab's selection, noting that unlike Suresh, Mahtab has served uninterrupted terms in the Lok Sabha.
LIST OF BUSINESS ON DAY-1 OF SESSIONLok Sabha MPs from the INDIA bloc will assemble in the Parliament complex on Monday morning and enter the House together at 10.30 am on the first day of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, sources said.
The stand-off between the government and the Opposition over the appointment of pro tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab came to a head with INDIA bloc MPs, who are part of a panel to assist the seven-term MP in his role, deciding not to perform their duties, sources told India Today TV on Monday.
The Congress has been sparring with the BJP after Bhratruhari Mehtab was made the pro tem Speaker, a crucial role in the initial days of the new Lok Sabha, instead of eight-time Congress MP K Suresh.
advertisement
The President had also named five senior members-- K Suresh (Congress), T R Baalu (DMK), Radha Mohan Singh and Faggan Singh Kulaste (both BJP) and Sudip Bandyopadhyay (TMC) to assist Mahtab, but the Congress, DMK and TMC MPs will skip their duties.
The Congress claimed the appointment of Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro tem Speaker deviates from the tradition of appointing the senior-most member of the Lok Sabha. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh suggested that K Suresh was overlooked for the role due to his Dalit background. Meanwhile, Congress leader K.C. Venugopal demanded an explanation from the BJP for disregarding the senior Dalit leader.
The government defended Mahtab's selection, noting that unlike Suresh, Mahtab has served uninterrupted terms in the Lok Sabha. Suresh lost elections in 1998 and 2004, making his current term his fourth consecutive one. BJP MP Sambit Patra clarified that the decision was made according to the established convention rather than law.
LIST OF BUSINESS ON DAY-1 OF SESSION
Lok Sabha MPs from the INDIA bloc will assemble in the Parliament complex on Monday morning and enter the House together at 10.30 am on the first day of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, sources said.
The MPs will gather near Gate No 2 of the old Parliament building, where the Gandhi statue once stood, a senior opposition party leader said.
Newly elected MPs will observe silence for a short while to mark the first sitting of the 18th Lok Sabha, following which the Secretary General will lay on the floor of the House a list of newly elected MPs in Hindi and English.
The MPs, including the Prime Minister and other members of the council of ministers, will then take an oath or make the affirmation, sign the roll of members and take their seats in the House.
The President is scheduled to address the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament on June 27. The debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address will begin on June 28. PM Modi is expected to respond to the debate on July 2 or 3.
Both the Houses are expected to go into a brief recess and re-assemble on July 22 for the presentation of the Union Budget.
Published By: Sudeep Lavania Published On: Jun 24, 2024
