What Will Be The Opposition's Key Issues In The 18th Lok Sabha's First Session?

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, commencing today, June 24, will witness the oath-taking ceremony of all newly elected Members of Parliament, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Opposition is expected to raise a number of issues in Parliament on Monday in an attempt to corner the NDA government.

18th Lok Sabha Kickoff: What's On the Opposition's Agenda?

During the first session of the Lok Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker Bhartruhari Mahtab will have the oath administered to him as the pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu, as reported by Hindustan Times. Subsequently, PM Modi will have the oath administered to him as the Leader of Lok Sabha by Mahtab.

It is expected that two key issues will be brought to the fore in the 18th Lok Sabha - the NEET-UG and NTA row, and the election of the new Speaker. The Lok Sabha Speaker election will be conducted on June 26, and a joint session of Parliament will be addressed by President Murmu on June 27.

18th Lok Sabha: Key issues in focus

The Speaker election on June 26 and the appointment of Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha are expected to be the first issues in focus. The appointment of the 7-time MP over Dalit MP Kodikkunnil Suresh, who is the senior-most member of the Lok Sabha, was questioned sharply by Congress and INDIA parties.

Following the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate 2024 (NEET-UG), the BJP was targeted by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, who said that they stand with the students. Gandhi also vowed to raise this issue in Parliament, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Another key issue in focus is expected to be the railway safety protocols in India and the recent accident of the Kanchanjunga Express, which claimed 10 lives. Multiple attacks were earlier fielded by the Opposition at Centre over the recent railway accidents, and it is likely that this issue will be raised in Parliament.

It is also likely that the implementation of the new criminal laws, passed by the Lok Sabha in December last year, will be brought to focus and questioned by the Opposition. The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will be held on June 24 and conclude on July 3. The 264th Session of Rajya Sabha will also commence on June 27 and conclude on July 3.