Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, alongside Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders, staged a protest in front of the Gandhi statue in Parliament. Holding copies of the Constitution, the leaders expressed their dissent over the appointment of BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem speaker.
Controversial Appointment Sparks Protest
The protest was triggered by the NDA government’s decision to bypass eight-term Dalit MP K Suresh for the role of pro-tem speaker. Congress MP Manickam Tagore criticized the government for this move, suggesting it was a deliberate neglect of a deserving candidate from the Dalit community.
Congress Leaders Voice Disappointment
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi expressed his disappointment with the ruling party, accusing them of arrogance and ignoring key issues affecting the country. He highlighted that appointing K Suresh would have been a historic gesture honoring the Dalit community. Gogoi argued that the decision undermines both the Congress and the INDIA alliance, as well as the Dalit community.
TMC Joins the Protest
Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee also participated in the protest, asserting that Mahtab’s appointment violated Constitutional provisions and past precedents. He accused the Narendra Modi government of disregarding the Constitution in their decision-making process.
Mahtab Sworn In Amid Protests
Despite the protests, seven-time MP Bhartruhari Mahtab was sworn in as the pro-tem speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha, with President Droupadi Murmu administering the oath at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Upcoming Schedule for Lok Sabha
The schedule for the 18th Lok Sabha includes the election of the Lok Sabha Speaker on June 26, followed by President Murmu’s address to a joint session of both houses of Parliament on June 27. This session marks the beginning of the 18th Lok Sabha, following the recent general elections where the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 293 seats, the INDIA bloc won 234 seats, and the Congress achieved 99 seats.