The first session of 2018 Lok Sabha, set to be held from June 24 to July 3, 2024, is likely to witness resetting of tone and tenor of government functioning and its priorities for the next five years in parliament amidst presence of a high-spirited opposition, post Lok Sabha polls.
A comparatively weakened ruling side this time, forced to carry on business on a coalition format, against a stronger opposition would not only aid a much balanced conduct of parliamentary proceedings, helpful for a healthy democracy but also humble the big shots in the BJP from making sweeping statements.
RSS advice to BJP
Also, the recent remarks made by chief of Hindutva fountainhead, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Mohan Bhagwat post polls, reminding the government to recalibrate its priorities in view of worsening condition of Manipur, use of language during electioneering which could have a divisive affect on communities, etc were likely to reflect in the current approach of the government while spelling out its agenda.
President Droupadi Murmu to address joint session on June 27
This session will witness oath/affirmation of the newly elected members of the Lok Sabha, election of Speaker besides President Droupadi Murmu addressing the joint session of both the houses of 18th Lok Sabha on June 27. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiran Rijiju informed details of the first session of the new Lok Sabha through a post on social media platform ‘X’(formerly twitter).
264th session of Rajya Sabha
The minister also informed that the 264th session of Rajya Sabha will commence on June 27, 2024 and will conclude on July 03, 2024.
While the government will set its agenda before the house, the number boosted opposition would leave no chance in pulling up the ruling side on precarious issues like the terror attacks in Jammu, alleged discrepancy in conduct of the NEET examination, etc.
Nirmala Sitharaman to become first FM present seven consecutive budgets
The maiden session of the 18th Lok Sabha will witness election of the Speaker, a touchy issue likely to create rumblings in the house proceedings besides the Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman becoming the first Finance minister to present seven consecutive budgets, breaking the record of Morarji Desai, for presenting six budgets in a row.
Leader of the Opposition after 10 years
The session will also witness presence of Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha after 10 years which in most likely hood would see Congress MP Rahul Gandhi take the responsibility.
The 16th and 17th Lok Sabha failed to have a Leader of Opposition as Congress, despite having the highest count of members in the opposition, just fell short of the requisite 10 percent of the total strength for laying claim to the post of Leader of Opposition. The grand old party of India had 52 MP’s in Lower House in 2019, which was just short of the requisite strength for claiming the post while in 2014, it had 44 MPs to its tally.
