Resurgent Opposition to push government for answers as 18th Lok Sabha first session begins today

The first Parliament session of the 18th Lok Sabha will begin Monday and, unlike in 2014 and in 2019, the mood in the House is expected to be different. A resurgent Opposition, united in spirit and upbeat since their numbers and heft have gone up, appears combative and is gearing up to crank up pressure on the NDA Government on several fronts, especially over the alleged irregularities related to NEET-UG and NET exams.

The government, on the other hand, appears to be in no mood to be on the backfoot. It has already shunted out the chief of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and appointed an expert committee to recommend a roadmap for examination reforms and review of the agency.

On the eve of the session, which will have eight sittings and will conclude on July 3, the main opposition Congress signalled that mere shuffling of bureaucrats was not a solution and the buck stops at the doorstep of the top echelons of the government.

And it was not just the NEET-NET issue. The Opposition is also upset over the Government’s decision to appoint seven-termBJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro tem Speaker, overlooking the claim of eight-term Lok Sabha MP from the Congress Kodikunnil Suresh.

Accusing the Government of flouting conventions in appointment of the pro tem speaker, the Congress has also alleged that Suresh was overlooked by the BJP dispensation as he belongs to the Dalit community.

The Opposition INDIA bloc is now likely to reject the role given to Suresh and two other Opposition MPs to assist Mahtab in administering the oath to the new members.

The relocation of statues of leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, within the Parliament building complex too has riled up the Opposition.

The first two days of