18th LS set for uncertain start; Oppn to raise NEET, criminal laws issue

New Delhi: Congress's objection to Bhartruhari Mahtab, the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, being named pro-tem Speaker appears to have set the ground for a heated Parliament session from June 24 to July 3.

The crucial June 26 poll to choose the 18th Lok Sabha Speaker will take front stage, even as the opposition charges the BJP-led NDA government of disregarding convention in selecting Mahtab. There still seems to be no chance of agreement on the nominees for Speaker and Deputy Speaker because both sides are at war about the appointment.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, speaking in reference to the pro-tem speaker appointment by ignoring the seniority of Suresh Kodikuunil, an eight-term MP, on Friday, claimed that the BJP was confrontational even before the special session began and that the party hasn't overcome the mentality of "Bulldozer politics.”

"K Suresh is a Dalit. PM Modi's rejection of an eight-term MP sends a message that he is biased and is against the Constitution. The INDIA bloc will make sure that Parliament cannot be bulldozed anymore," he said, the New Indian Express reported.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that even before the first session of Parliament convened Congress was using social media to propagate false information and mislead the public.

"K Suresh, though an eight-term MP, was not a member of the Lok Sabha in 1998 and 2004 and hence did not have an uninterrupted tenure in the Lok Sabha. We expected the Parliament proceedings to start on a good note. But Congress is resorting to spreading lies and misleading everyone through social media," said Rijiju.

The opposition is unwavering in its demand for the position of Deputy Speaker, even as the administration continues to withhold information about its nominee for Speaker. Congress MP Manickam Tagore told TNIE that conventionally the Opposition should hold the role of Deputy Speaker.

"In the 17th Lok Sabha, the government went against constitutional norms by not appointing a deputy speaker. They never adhered to constitutional norms or conventions. The INDIA bloc will meet and decide the next course of action,” said Tagore.

Additionally, fireworks are predicted for the debate on the Motion of Thanks during the President's address, as a resurgent Opposition aims to exert pressure on the government on a number of controversial topics, including the implementation of new criminal laws, the Kanchanjunga Express accident in West Bengal, and alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG and UGC-NET medical entrance exams.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said that the INDIA bloc will put pressure on the administration in the Parliament.

The three criminal laws will also be a source of conflict because the DMK and TMC want to postpone their July 1 implementation. Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, wrote to Prime Minister Modi on Friday pleading with him to keep the legislation in abeyance.

The Congress and TMC appear to be warming up to the subject, clearing the possibility for improved collaboration among INDIA bloc allies in Parliament.