The inaugural session of the 18th Lok Sabha is set to begin on Monday, with veteran parliamentarian Bhartruhari Mahtab serving as the appointed pro-tem Speaker. The election for the Lok Sabha Speaker is scheduled for June 26.
This session will start with the oath-taking ceremony for all newly elected members, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) holds a majority with 293 seats, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 240 seats, just short of the 272 majority mark needed on its own. Meanwhile, the Opposition INDIA bloc has secured 234 seats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the media at 10 am prior to the commencement of the session.
INDIA Bloc MPs to March to Lok Sabha Together
Members of Parliament from the INDIA bloc plan to assemble in the Parliament complex on Monday morning and march to the House together on the first day of the session. They will gather near Gate No. 2 of the old Parliament building, at the location of the former Gandhi statue, as stated by a senior opposition party leader.
In response to the appointment of Bhartruhari Mahtab as pro-tem Speaker, INDIA bloc MPs who are part of the pro-tem committee have expressed their dissatisfaction and announced their decision to boycott the panel. They will not assist the pro-tem Speaker in administering the oath.