18th Lok Sabha: What Are Opposition's Key Issues | 5 Points

New Delhi: The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha is set to commence on June 24 with the oath-taking of all the newly-elected members of the house, including the Prime Minister. On the sidelines, the opposition is planning to raise several issues in the Parliament to corner the NDA government, elected for the third consecutive term. 

During the first session, President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Subsequently, Mahtab will administer the oath to PM Modi as the Leader of Lok Sabha.

The opposition party MPs will meet at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's chamber in Parliament to chalk out the strategy to corned the BJP-led NDA government in the house. 

The opposition will likely raise issues including the NEET-UG scam and the election of the new Speaker. The polls to elect the Lok Sabha Speaker will take place on June 26, and President Murmu will address a joint session of the Parliament on June 27.

Lok Sabha's First Session: Key Issues to be Raised  

• The first key issue to remain in focus is likely to be the election of the Speaker on June 26, and the appointment of Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The Congress-led INDI bloc questioned Mahtab's appointment by asking why the 7-time MP was chosen over Dalit MP Kodikkunnil Suresh, the senior Lok Sabha member.
• Another key issue that will cast its shadow in the Parliament is expected to be the controversy around the NEET-UG 2024 entrance exam. Top Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi targeted the BJP for alleged irregularities in the entrance exam and vowed to raise the issue in the Parliament. 
• In the wake of the recent accident of the Kanchanjunga Express in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri, the railway safety protocols will likely be another issue that will find space. Opposition had earlier trained guns at the Centre for frequent train accidents in India. 
• Another key issue that the opposition may raise is the implementation of the new criminal laws, which were passed by the Lok Sabha in December last year.
• Besides all, the opposition is expected to target the ruling NDA on the issues of 'inflation and unemployment.'   

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha is scheduled to take place from June 24 to July 3. The 264th Session of Rajya Sabha will also commence on June 27 and conclude on July 3.