Lok Sabha session highlights: Rahul Gandhi, K Suresh huddle at Kharge's house for Speaker poll

Lok Sabha session live: Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat on Tuesday attacked the BJP, saying the saffron party was trying to "impose an authoritarian approach to Parliament" by not offering Deputy Speaker's post to the opposition, reported news agency PTI.

She accused the saffron party of failing to learn a lesson from the results of the Lok Sabha polls where it lost more than 63 seats.

"I believe the lesson that the BJP and its leadership should have learned from the Lok Sabha election, where they lost more than 63 seats, is that parliamentary democracy, including its traditions and protocols, must be upheld. But in this case, it seems that the leopard does not change its spots and once again they are trying to bring their bulldozer into Parliament," Karat said.

Lok Sabha session live: The Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP is likely to support NDA candidate Om Birla in Wednesday's Lok Sabha Speaker election in case its support is needed, reported news agency PTI. The party has four Lok Sabha members.

However, the party's Rajampet MP PV Midhun Reddy said YSRCP is yet to announce its decision and it will be disclosed on Wednesday.

"Officially we will announce our decision tomorrow but our support will be natural for the NDA candidate," YSRCP sources told PTI.

Lok Sabha session live: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a meeting at the residence of Union minister Ajay Tamta on Tuesday, the second day of the 18th Lok Sabha ahead of the election to the post of Speaker, reported news agency ANI.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, BJP National General Secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam and other party leaders were present in the meeting.

Lok Sabha session live: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has posted: "In the 18th Lok Sabha, the House of the People shall truly reflect the aspirations of the last person standing, with Shri @RahulGandhi becoming their voice.

"As Congress President, I am confident that a leader who has traversed the length and breadth of the country from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, and from Manipur to Maharashtra shall raise the voice of the people — especially the marginalised and the poor. The Congress party is strongly committed to protect Democracy and the Constitution, by upholding its eternal principles of Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity," added Kharge.

Lok Sabha session live: CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi wrote to Pro-tem Speaker informing that Rahul Gandhi will be Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, says Congress leader K C Venugopal

Lok Sabha session live: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey expresses happiness over the appointment of Rahul Gandhi as Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. In an interaction with news agency PTI, he says, "Congress is the largest member of the INDIA bloc. They won 99 seats in Lok Sabha polls 2024, and Rahul Gandhi played a key role in it. We are glad that he has been appointed as Leader of Opposition."

Lok Sabha session live: The Telugu Desam Party on Tuesday issued a whip to its 16 Lok Sabha members to vote for NDA's Om Birla in Wednesday's Speaker election. In a three-line whip, TDP's Amalapuram MP Harish Balayogi directed all the MPs to assemble at room number 111–B by 10:30 am on Wednesday.

Lok Sabha session live: "Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has been appointed as the LoP in the Lok Sabha, said Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, reported news agency ANI.

Lok Sabha session live: INDIA bloc leaders are holding a meeting at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in New Delhi

Lok Sabha session live: Congress leaders K Suresh and Rahul Gandhi arrive at party president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in Delhi.

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Lok Sabha session live: ' Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai has taken a dig at PM Narendra Modi. He said, "Yesterday Modi Ji had said that everybody should come together and constructively support the government. Modi Ji said that the government should be run constructively by supporting it. Constructive means that everybody should run it together, so the rule has been that in Lok Sabha the Speaker is made by the person who is in power but the Deputy Speaker is from the opposition...Modi ji is not ready even for the deputy speaker and talks about constructiveness..."

Lok Sabha session live: Congress MP Pramod Tiwari has slammed BJP for the controversy surrounding the Speaker and Deputy Speaker in Lok Sabha. He said, "In a democratic system, conventions and traditions have the same importance as rules and regulations. It has been a tradition that whether it is Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha, the post of Speaker belongs to the ruling party and the post of Deputy Speaker, barring one or two occasions, always belongs to the opposition. BJP has started a new tradition. They do not appoint a Deputy Speaker and if they appoint one, then they will appoint someone from their ally party. This is a mockery of democracy. This is cruel treatment of democracy. Therefore, to register a democratic protest, we have fielded K Suresh, who is an 8-time MP, against their candidate, while Birla ji is a 1 or 3-time MP. We are fully hopeful that the majority of the members of Lok Sabha will go with Suresh ji..."

Lok Sabha session live: Reacting on the Lok Sabha Speaker post issue, Congress MP KL Sharma has said, "They are not abiding by the Constitution. As the INDIA Alliance is strong right now, we will oppose the wrong...It is the tradition of a healthy democracy to give the Deputy Speaker post to the Opposition. So, they should do it."

Lok Sabha session live: After NDA and INDIA failed to reach a consensus to appoint the Lok Sabha Speaker unanimously, the Congress party attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his “hypocrisy-laden pravachan” on consensus and cooperation over the post. Dig Deeper

Lok Sabha session live: BJP has issued a three-line whip to all its Lok Sabha members to be present in the House tomorrow

Lok Sabha session live: Independent MP from Bihar's Purnea, Pappu Yadav wore a t-shirt with the words 'ReNEET' on it as he took oath as a member to the 18th Lok Sabha. He concluded his oath by saying, "Re-NEET, special status for Bihar, Seemanchal Zindabad, Manavtavaad Zindabad, Bhim Zindabad, Samvidhan Zindabad"

Lok Sabha session live: BJP MP Ravi Kishan has promised to open a regional Film City. He said, "I want to create employment for the youth. We will open a regional Film City, where we will provide the youth with skill development training to make them self-sufficient.

Lok Sabha session live: Congress party has issued whip to its MPs asking them to be present in Lok Sabha at 11 am on Wednesday during the Speaker's election

Lok Sabha session live: BJP MP Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar took oath as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha today and concluded his oath with the words, "Jai Hindu Rashtra, Jai Bharat."

The Opposition leaders raised objections to his slogan.

Lok Sabha session live: Reacting to election being held for the Lok Sabha Speaker post, Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said, "The government does not want to give any post to the opposition...The opposition is forced to contest elections..."

Lok Sabha session live: In an interaction with news agency ANI, BJP MP Hema Malini expressed her desire to see Om Birla elected as the Speaker in the Lok Sabha. She said, "I want Om Birla to be elected as he was excellent and he managed very well in the past five years"

Lok Sabha session live: Cricketer-turned-politician and TMC MP Yusuf Pathan is taking oath in the Lower House of the Parliament.

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Lok Sabha session live: Newly elected MPs from West Bengal are taking oath in the Lower House of the Parliament.

Lok Sabha session live: Union minister G Kishan Reddy has slammed Asaduddin Owaisi for his words during oath taking ceremony in the Parliament. Reddy said, "The slogan 'Jai Palestine' given by AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi in Parliament today is absolutely wrong. This is against the rules of the House. He does not say 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' while living in India... People should understand that he does unconstitutional work while living in the country."

Lok Sabha session live: All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi stirred controversy on Tuesday by concluding his oath-taking in the 18th Lok Sabha with the slogan "Jai Palestine." Owaisi, who was re-elected as MP from Hyderabad parliamentary constituency, took the oath in Urdu and ended it with slogans – ‘Jai Bheem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine’. Dig Deeper

Lok Sabha session live: Reacting to AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi's slogan in favour of Palestine during his oath in the Parliament, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "We do not have any enmity with Palestine or any other country. While taking the oath is it proper for any member to raise the slogan praising another country...We will have to check the rules if it is appropriate..."

The Speaker of 18th Lok Sabha will be appointed through a rare election after the INDIA bloc decided to field its own candidate for the post. The previous Speaker and BJP leader Om Birla will be contesting against Congress party’s veteran leader and eight-time parliamentarian K Suresh for the coveted post on June 26.

Going by the numbers, Om Birla is expected to be re-elected as Speaker, but political commentators say the election for the post is all about principles for the opposition parties. Read more.

Lok Sabha session live: Congress MP Kishori Lal from Amethi is taking oath. Lal defeated BJP candidate Smriti Irani in the Lok Sabha Election 2024.

Lok Sabha session live: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is taking oath in the Lower House of the Parliament

Lok Sabha session live: Newly elected MPs from Uttar Pradesh are taking oath in the Lower House of the Parliament.

Lok Sabha session live: Hema Malini, the BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh's Mathura and a well-known actress, took her oath as a member of the Lower House on Tuesday.

In Mathura, Hema Malini, often called Bollywood’s ‘dream girl,’ won the election against Congress candidate Mukesh Dhangar by a margin of 2,93,407 votes.

Lok Sabha session live: Arun Govil, the BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh's Meerut and renowned Ramayan actor, took his oath as a member of the Lower House on Tuesday. He took his oath in Sanskrit.

Arun Govil, renowned for his portrayal of Lord Ram in the popular TV serial Ramayan won against Samajwadi Party's (SP) Sunita Verma from Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Lok Sabha session live: Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is also the candidate for the Wayanad by-election, arrive at Parliament ahead of Rahul Gandhi's oath-taking as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha today.

Lok Sabha session live: Commenting on the INDIA bloc nominating a candidate for the Speaker post of the 18th Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “We had a conversation with all the floor leaders of the Opposition regarding the post of the Speaker. The Speaker is not for a party; it is for the functioning of the House. The Speaker is elected unanimously. It is disheartening that Congress has nominated its candidate for the Speaker. No election has ever taken place for the post of the Speaker. Congress put this condition that if they get the post of Deputy Speaker, they will support our candidate for the Speaker's post. This give and take of posts of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker is not right.”

Lok Sabha session live: Hyderabad MP and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi took oath as a member of the Lower House on Tuesday.

Owaisi won against BJP candidate Madhavi Latha from the Hyderabad constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Lok Sabha session live: Union minister and BJP leader Amit Shah took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi over the imposition of Emergency by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

"The Congress crushed the spirit of our Constitution several times for the sake of maintaining a certain family in power. Indira Gandhi unleashed ruthless atrocities on the people of India during Emergency. The yuvraj of the Congress party has forgotten that his grandmother imposed the Emergency and his father, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, on July 23, 1985, said in the Lok Sabha, taking much pride in this horrific episode, “There is nothing wrong with an Emergency”. Mr. Rajiv Gandhi even said, “If any Prime Minister of this country who feels that an Emergency is necessary, under these circumstances and does not apply the Emergency, he is not fit to be the Prime Minister of this country.” This very act of taking pride in a dictatorial act shows that nothing else is dear to the Congress other than the family and power,” he wrote on X.

Lok Sabha session live: DMK MP A Raja from Tamil Nadu's Nilgiri has taken oath in the Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha session live: BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has slammed the Congress party, saying that it wants to enforce election of Speaker

“The Speaker is beyond parties and politics and its considerations. He does not belong to a party and therefore, there has been a long-held principle that the Speaker should be unanimously elected but instead, the Congress party wants to enforce an election on this position,” said Shehzad Poonawalla as quoted by news agency PTI.

Lok Sabha session live: On the election of the Speaker, Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has said, "As far as I know, the Speaker is always elected unanimously. Because the Speaker does not belong to any party, he belongs to the entire House. This is the first time that voting will take place for the post of Speaker. And this is not a good start. Especially when the ruling party has the numbers, only the INDIA bloc can tell why the process is being broken..."

Lok Sabha session live: DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran from Tamil Nadu's Chennai Central constituency has taken oath in the Lok Sabha.

Lok Sabha session live: Tamil Nadu Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil has taken oath in the Lok Sabha.

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Lok Sabha session live: Congress MP and INDIA bloc's Speaker candidate says, “It's not solely about numbers; it's about upholding the tradition of the Lok Sabha. Historically, the Speaker's position is assigned to the ruling party, while the Deputy Speaker's role is designated for the opposition. However, the government is unwilling to concede the Deputy Speaker's position to us. Hence, we've decided to contest.”

Lok Sabha session live: The Day 2 proceedings of the Lower House session have been adjourned until 2.15 PM. The remaining MPs will take oath after the proceedings resume.

Lok Sabha session live: Om Birla, BJP MP from Kota, was sworn in as a member of the Lower House on Monday, alongside other newly elected MPs. He is the designated NDA candidate for the Speaker post of the 18th Lok Sabha.

- In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Om Birla secured victory with a margin of 41,974 votes from Rajasthan's Kota constituency, amassing a total of 7,50,496 votes.

- His opponent in the elections was former BJP member and Congress candidate Prahlad Gunjal.

- Om Birla's tenure as Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha was marked by his unanimous election to the position.

- Engaged in agriculture and social work, Om Birla has been actively involved in politics since his student days. He held the position of state unit president of the Bhartiya Yuva Morcha in 1991 and served as vice-president at the national level.

Lok Sabha session live: Regarding the election for the Lok Sabha Speaker post, Union Civil Aviation Minister and TDP leader Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said, “It's not advisable to impose conditions. Democracy operates without conditions. Regarding the Speaker election, the NDA has fulfilled its responsibilities. Senior leader Rajnath Singh reached out to everyone, including the opposition, requesting their support for Om Birla ji's nomination. However, when it came to reciprocating, the opposition insisted on conditions, requesting the Deputy Speaker post. It's unprecedented to support the Speaker on a conditional basis...They're politicizing this matter as well.”

Lok Sabha session live: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the NDA government's refusal to grant the deputy Speaker post to the Opposition.

“Barely 24 hours after his hypocrisy-laden pravachan on consensus and cooperation the non-biological PM has made a contest for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker inevitable. Convention has been that the Speaker is elected unanimously and the Deputy Speaker's post goes to the Opposition. The non-biological PM has broken this tradition. It is actually no surprise. He has still not woken up to the reality of the 2024 poll verdict which was a PPM defeat for him--personal, political and moral,” he wrote on X.

Lok Sabha session live: Commenting on the Kerala Assembly's resolution to change the name of the state, BJP MP Suresh Gopi says, "I have nothing to say. It is their wish and right and they will do it. If it is legitimate, it will happen... It is not a matter of discussion... The authorities will take care of the wish of the people of Kerala..."

Regarding the Emergency, he states, “It is the biggest blot.”

Lok Sabha session live: Commenting on the INDIA bloc's decision to field K Suresh as a candidate for the Lok Sabha Speaker post, Union Minister and BJP MP Piyush Goyal said, “They said first decide the name for Deputy Speaker then we will support the Speaker candidate. We condemn such politics. A good tradition would have been to choose the Speaker unanimously. The Speaker does not belong to any party or opposition; he belongs to the entire House. Similarly, the Deputy Speaker also does not belong to any party or group; he belongs to the entire House and hence there should be consent of the House. Such conditions that only a particular person or from a particular party should be the Deputy Speaker, do not fit into any tradition of the Lok Sabha.”

Lok Sabha session live: According to opposition leaders, Kondikunal Suresh, who is currently in his eighth term, will stand as the Opposition's nominee for the Speaker's election. Suresh, representing INDIA, has submitted his nomination for the Speaker's position. This marks the first instance of a Speaker's election in the Lok Sabha. Hailing from Kerala, Kondikunal Suresh is recognized as a Dalit leader. Initially, the Opposition intended for him to serve as the deputy speaker. However, due to unsuccessful negotiations between the government and opposition, Suresh is now being fielded as the candidate for Speaker.

Lok Sabha session live: National Congress Party (SP) MP Supriya Sule took oath as the member of the Lower House on Monday.

Three-time MP Supriya Sule of the Nationalist Congress Party(SP) from Maharashtra’s Baramati constituency won again by a margin of 1,58,333 votes against her cousin's wife, NCP's Sunetra Pawar, according to ECI.

Lok Sabha session live: Kota MP Om Birla met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, signalling his potential candidacy for the ruling National Democratic Alliance's choice for the Lok Sabha Speaker's post.

Multiple NDA sources have indicated that Birla is expected to be their nominee for the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha.

Sources suggest that the opposition may abstain from nominating its candidate, paving the way for the NDA nominee to be elected unopposed, with the condition of securing the deputy Speaker post.

The nominations for the Speaker post will end by noon today.

Lok Sabha session live: Responding to the INDIA bloc's demand for the deputy Speaker post, Samajwadi Party chief and MP Akhilesh Yadav remarked, “Everything will be revealed shortly... The Opposition's demand was for the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha to be from the Opposition... Our party shares the same view.”

Lok Sabha session live: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, speaking on the Speaker election, stated, “Today's newspaper reports that PM Modi urged the Opposition to cooperate with the Government constructively. Rajnath Singh contacted Mallikarjun Kharge, requesting support for the Speaker. The entire Opposition agreed to support the Speaker, but the tradition dictates that the Deputy Speaker position should go to the opposition. Rajnath Singh promised to call back Mallikarjun Kharge, but he hasn't done so yet... PM Modi seeks cooperation from the Opposition, yet our leader faces disrespect.”

Rahul Gandhi will take oath as the member of the Lower House today along with the 281 remaining MPs.

Lok Sabha session live: The proceedings on the second day of the 18th Lok Sabha session began at 11 am today, and the remaining newly elected MPs are taking oath to become members of the Lower House.

Lok Sabha session live: According to sources reported by news agency ANI, BJP MP Om Birla is likely the NDA candidate for the Speaker's post in the 18th Lok Sabha. He is expected to submit his nomination at 11:30 am today.

Lok Sabha session live: The opposition is seeking the deputy Speaker's post. If an agreement isn't reached between the government and the opposition, the opposition could nominate a candidate for the Speaker's election. K Suresh is a probable contender.

Lok Sabha session live updates: Regarding the Lok Sabha Speaker post, AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang remarks, “It is the responsibility of the Speaker to safeguard the opposition's voice, so we believe that the Speaker should be from the INDIA bloc; otherwise, the Speaker should be from the NDA allies, not from the BJP.”

Lok Sabha session live updates: The second day of the 18th Lok Sabha session is set to commence at 11 am.

- Today, 281 newly elected MPs, including prominent figures like Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief and MP Akhilesh Yadav, and National Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule, will take their oaths.

- Nominations for the Speaker post are expected to close by noon.

- The central government is reportedly working towards consensus for the Speaker post, engaging in discussions with opposition leaders as part of the effort.

Lok Sabha session live updates: Union ministers and other Lok Sabha MPs are arriving at Parliament before the Day 2 proceedings of the 18th Lok Sabha session. Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Amit Shah were spotted at Parliament.

Nominations for the Speaker post are due this afternoon.

Lok Sabha session live updates: According to sources reported by news agency ANI, Union Minister Rajnath Singh is engaging with opposition leaders to establish consensus for both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions. Additionally, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister is also reaching out to opposition leaders for the same purpose.

Lok Sabha session live updates: Regarding the Lok Sabha Speaker post, Congress MP K Suresh said, “The Speaker should be elected unanimously...According to the tradition of the House, the Speaker is elected unanimously. The BJP is not discussing with the opposition, they have to take the initiative for consensus. Till now they have not taken any initiative for consensus for the post of Speaker. If there is no election for the post of Speaker, then the Deputy Speaker will come to the opposition. The leaders of the INDIA alliance have already made their stand clear.”

The nomination process for the Lok Sabha Speaker post is expected to take place today. The election is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26.

Lok Sabha session live updates: On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used social media platform X to reflect on the 'dark days of Emergency,' criticising the Congress party.

“Today is a day to pay homage to all those great men and women who resisted the Emergency. The #DarkDaysOfEmergency remind us of how the Congress Party subverted basic freedoms and trampled over the Constitution of India which every Indian respects greatly,” he said.

“The mindset which led to the imposition of the Emergency is very much alive among the same Party which imposed it. They hide their disdain for the Constitution through their tokenism but the people of India have seen through their antics and that is why they have rejected them time and again,” he added.

Lok Sabha session live updates: The remaining 281 new members will take their oaths on Tuesday. Among the key leaders who will oath at the Parliament today include Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Mahua Moitra, Supriya Sule and Kanimozhi.

Lok Sabha session live updates: Congress member K Suresh, an eight-time MP and a prominent contender for the Protem Speaker's position, along with DMK MP T R Baalu and TMC's Sudip Bandyopadhyay, did not take their oaths when their names were called among the panel of chairpersons to assist the Protem Speaker. Suresh later took his oath.

The appointment of Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker faced criticism from the Opposition, who argued that the eight-term member K Suresh, a Dalit leader, was overlooked for the temporary post. According to the Congress, Mahtab's appointment by the BJP deviates from the traditional practice of appointing the senior member, stating that it is an “established tradition” in the Lok Sabha for the senior-most MP to become the pro-tem Speaker. Full details here

Lok Sabha session live updates: As Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan proceeded to swear in as a Member of Parliament on Monday, Opposition leaders in Parliament staged protests and chanted slogans.

During Dharmendra Pradhan's oath-taking, leaders of the INDIA bloc taunted the NDA government with cries of “NEET,” highlighting alleged irregularities in the examination's administration. Dig deeper

Lok Sabha session live updates: First-time MP and daughter of former Union minister Sushma Swaraj, Bansuri Swaraj, also took her oath in Sanskrit.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Bansuri Swaraj secured victory by a margin of 78,370 votes in her electoral debut from the New Delhi constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

With a 15-year career as a lawyer, Bansuri, who is carrying forward her late mother's legacy, faced tight competition with Somnath Bharti of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Lok Sabha session live updates: Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut, who secured her first victory on a BJP ticket from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, was sworn in as a member of Parliament on the inaugural day of the 18th Lok Sabha on Monday.

She defeated Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Ranaut pledged to fulfil her responsibility as an MP to serve the people of her constituency – Mandi, Himachal Pradesh – with utmost dedication.

She also expressed optimism that the opposition would prove to be valuable in Parliament.

Lok Sabha session live updates: Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Jharkhand chief Babulal Marandi on Monday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying that he should apologise for the “misdeeds” of his grandmother and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Amid the controversy surrounding Bhartruhari Mahtab's appointment as pro-tem speaker, the Congress leader took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that they were “attacking” the Constitution.

Lok Sabha session live updates: On Monday, the first day of the 18th Lok Sabha session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the ‘Emergency period’ during the rule of former PM Indira Gandhi, stating that the new generation of India will never forget that time when the country was turned into a prison. He added that they will resolve to uphold a vibrant democracy so that no one will dare to do such a thing in India again.

On June 25, 1975, the then Prime Minister and Congress leader Indira Gandhi, imposed an Emergency in the country, suspending civil liberties, imprisoning opposition leaders and dissidents, and enforcing press censorship.

Countering PM Modi's remark, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote on X, “You are reminding us of the 50-year-old Emergency, but have forgotten the last 10 years of Undeclared Emergency, which was ended by the people.”

Lok Sabha session live updates: President Droupadi Murmu hosted a dinner at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday for the Union Council of Ministers, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and his spouse were also present at the dinner.

“President Droupadi Murmu hosted a dinner in honour of the Union Council of Ministers, led by Prime Minister @narendramodi, at Rashtrapati Bhavan,” the president's office said in a post on X.

Lok Sabha session live updates: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the central government, highlighting 10 issues that transpired within the first 15 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. Gandhi raised concerns about purported NEET irregularities, the UGC NET paper leak, a West Bengal train accident, water scarcity, etc.

Taking to X, Rahul Gandhi alleged that PM Modi is busy in saving his government and said, “First 15 days of NDA! 1. Horrific train accident; 2. Terrorist attacks in Kashmir 3. The plight of passengers in trains 4. NEET scam; 5. NEET PG cancelled 6. UGC NET paper leak 7. Milk, pulses, gas, tolls and expensive 8. Forests blazing with fire; 9. Water crisis; 10. Deaths due to lack of arrangements during the heat wave.”

Lok Sabha session live updates: The inaugural session of the 18th Lok Sabha commenced on a contentious tone on Monday, marked by heated exchanges between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge regarding the imposition of Emergency in 1975, alongside fervent calls to “safeguard democracy.”

During the opening proceedings, 262 newly elected MPs, including PM Modi, took their oaths of office.