The inaugural day of the 18th Lok Sabha witnessed the Opposition jubilant over a significant surge in their parliamentary strength, a development that underscored their renewed vigor and determination. This increase in numbers symbolized a pivotal shift in the political landscape, setting the stage for heightened parliamentary engagement and robust oppositional scrutiny.
A Confident Opposition
On Monday, Opposition MPs displayed exuberance outside the House and newfound confidence within. After a decade of limited representation, they now occupied over a third of the seats, a substantial increase from their previous two rows.
The BJP, which had left the old Parliament building in high spirits, chanting slogans like ‘Ab ki baar 400 paar,’ appeared subdued. A brief chant of ‘Modi Modi’ was heard when Narendra Modi, reelected as Prime Minister for a third consecutive term, took his oath as an MP.
Opposition’s Strategic Placement
In a strategic move, Akhilesh Yadav of the SP, whose party’s seats increased from five to 37, positioned Awadhesh Prasad, a 79-year-old victorious candidate from Faizabad (Ayodhya), in the first row alongside himself and Rahul Gandhi. This placement underscored the Opposition’s enhanced presence in the House.
Opposition Voices
With the BJP no longer holding a majority, the Lower House echoed with a confident Opposition. Congress, DMK, and TMC MPs protested outside, brandishing red-cover copies of the Constitution at the former site of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue, before marching inside to take their oaths. Soon after, Akhilesh Yadav led his party members, all donning red stoles and holding Constitutions, to the House floor.
Signs of Upcoming Challenges
The atmosphere inside the House suggested upcoming challenges for the ruling party. Opposition members waved Constitution copies and chanted slogans like ‘Long live the Constitution’ and ‘We will save the Constitution’ as Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah took their oaths. During the election campaign, the Opposition had voiced concerns that a BJP victory with over 400 seats might lead to constitutional changes.
Opposition on Competitive Exams
United, the Opposition also protested alleged irregularities in exams like NEET-UG and UGC-NET. They vocally opposed Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during his oath-taking, signaling their intention to raise the issue in Parliament.
Opposition in Opposition: Speaker Nomination Controversy
The Opposition’s resolve was evident from the outset. They objected to the nomination of pro tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab, believing the role should have gone to Congress MP K Suresh, the most senior member. Consequently, senior Opposition MPs like Suresh, T R Baalu (DMK), and Sudip Bandyopadhyay (TMC) abstained from stepping forward, with Suresh attempting to voice an objection, which the Chair did not allow.
Oaths Taken in Various Languages and Attires
MPs took their oaths in multiple languages, including Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Telugu, Dogri, Bangla, Assamese, Odia, Gujarati, and Malayalam. Notably, Suresh Gopi, the first BJP MP from Kerala, invoked deities before his Malayalam oath.
Many MPs wore traditional attire: Assam MPs in white-and-red gamchas, TMC MP Kirti Azad in a Bengali dhoti, and Union Minister Anupriya Patel in a red-and-black sari, prompting friendly comments from DMK MPs about her resembling their party colors.
Interactions and Engagements
MPs arrived early, engaging in photo sessions with family and introductions. Returning MPs expressed their excitement. Kanimozhi carried a gifted book, Moustache by S Hareesh, highlighting camaraderie among MPs.
In response to Opposition criticism, Dharmendra Pradhan engaged with various MPs, sharing a nostalgic moment with Jual Oram about their visit to Parliament as ABVP leaders in 1997. This narrative underscored the significant journey of both leaders within Indian politics.
Conclusion
The inaugural session of the 18th Lok Sabha set the stage for an active and vibrant parliamentary term. The Opposition’s increased presence and assertiveness signaled a shift in the legislative dynamics, promising robust debates and challenges ahead.
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