June 23rd 2024.
On the eve of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju took a step towards resolving the ongoing conflict with the opposition INDIA bloc. He reached out to Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay in an effort to find a solution. The opposition had raised concerns about the appointment of BJP leader Bhartuhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker, leading to a face-off between the two sides.
During their meeting, Rijiju praised Bandyopadhyay's long-standing parliamentary career and commended his calm and dignified conduct in the Parliament. He expressed his belief that the 18th Lok Sabha would greatly benefit from Bandyopadhyay's experiences. The opposition leader, however, informed Rijiju that he would be unable to join the panel of chairpersons, as his party had decided to withdraw its members as a mark of protest.
Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu had appointed Mahtab as the Pro-tem Speaker, along with four other members to assist him in conducting the proceedings of the Lok Sabha. The opposition had objected to Mahtab's appointment, claiming that the President had overlooked the claim of their eight-term member Kodikunnil Suresh, a Dalit leader. In response, the INDIA bloc had announced that their leaders Suresh, T R Baalu, and Sudip Bandyopadhyay would not join the panel of chairpersons.
Rijiju defended Mahtab's appointment, stating that the BJP leader had seven uninterrupted terms as a Lok Sabha member, making him eligible for the post. On the other hand, Suresh had lost the 1998 and 2004 elections, and this was only his fourth consecutive term in the lower house. The Congress, however, continued to criticize the ruling party, with senior leader Jairam Ramesh calling them anti-Dalit.
Responding to Ramesh's criticism, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla suggested that the Congress make Suresh the Leader of Opposition. He also highlighted another issue, stating that a majority of the victims in the recent Tamil Nadu hooch tragedy were from Scheduled Castes, and urged the Congress to ensure justice for them. Despite the ongoing conflict, Rijiju's meeting with Bandyopadhyay was seen as a positive step towards finding a resolution.
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