18th Lok Sabha: MPs from Kerala to be sworn in today, opposition to raise NEET, other issues

NEW DELHI: The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will begin today. The first two days will be the swearing in of MPs including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Eighteen from Kerala will take oath today. Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, who is on a foreign visit, will take oath at the end of this week. Rahul Gandhi who resigned from Wayanad will take oath as MP from Rae Bareli.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the first to take oath today at 11 am. Pro Tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab will administer the oath. After that till 12 noon the rest of the ministers will be sworn in according to their importance like Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari and Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Suresh Gopi, the first BJP member from Kerala and Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Tourism, will take oath between 12 noon and 1 pm. Other MPs from Kerala will take oath at 4 pm.

When the first session begins today, the opposition is set to discuss many issues, including the NEET controversy and the stock scam. The first session may witness strong opposition protests. The opposition will also protest against the appointment of seven-time member Bhartrihari Mehtab as pro-tem speaker avoiding congress’ eight-time MP Kodikunnil Suresh.

President Draupadi Murmu will address the members of both houses in the Lok Sabha chamber on June 27. On the last two days, the debate on the motion of thanks on the President's speech and the Prime Minister's reply speech. The session will last until July 3.

All eyes are on the Congress for their decision on the opposition leader. The working committee has passed a resolution asking Rahul to take over as the leader of the opposition, but he has not responded. The Lok Sabha speaker will be elected on Jun 26.