President Droupadi Murmu’s First Address to Parliament
Today, President Droupadi Murmu will address the joint sitting of Parliament for the first time since the formation of the third National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. After her address, a motion of thanks will be discussed in both Houses of Parliament.
18th Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Sessions
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha began on Monday, and the Rajya Sabha session starts today. On Wednesday, Om Birla was re-elected as the Lok Sabha Speaker for the second time. His re-election was supported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Om Birla’s Vision for the 18th Lok Sabha
Om Birla emphasized the need for a new vision and resolve for the 18th Lok Sabha. He called for the House to be a center of creative thinking and new ideas, aiming to establish high levels of parliamentary traditions and dignity. He also highlighted the goal of achieving ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).
Prime Minister Modi’s Remarks
Prime Minister Modi congratulated Om Birla on his re-election, noting the significant responsibility of the Speaker’s role during the ‘Amrit Kaal’ (Golden Period). He praised the decisions made in the 17th Lok Sabha under Birla’s leadership as a golden period in parliamentary history.
Rahul Gandhi’s Speech
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, congratulated Om Birla and emphasized the importance of allowing the opposition’s voice in the House. He noted that the opposition represents significantly more voices of the Indian people than before and stressed the need for cooperation and trust.
50th Anniversary of the Emergency
On the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed on June 26, 1975, Om Birla praised those who opposed the Emergency and protected India’s democracy.
INDIA Bloc’s Demand
The INDIA bloc demanded the position of Deputy Speaker. With no clarity from the BJP, the INDIA bloc proposed Congress MP K Suresh for the Speaker’s post. In the recent general elections, the NDA won 293 seats, while the INDIA bloc secured 234 seats. The BJP, however, did not achieve a majority on its own, securing 240 seats.
