Both were prominently seated in the front row of the Lower House, marking a departure from previous sessions where Gandhi had occupied a secondary position...
Digital Desk: The first day of the inaugural Parliament session following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections set a spirited tone as Opposition MPs showcased their vigor and determination. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's oath-taking ceremony witnessed a symbolic gesture as Opposition members waved copies of the Constitution, signaling their intent to assert parliamentary oversight and challenge the ruling government.
Leading the charge were prominent figures from the 'UP ke ladke' coalition, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav. Both were prominently seated in the front row of the Lower House, marking a departure from previous sessions where Gandhi had occupied a secondary position. This symbolic positioning underscored their role as leaders of the Opposition INDIA bloc within Parliament.
Accompanying Akhilesh Yadav was a significant moment of recognition for Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad, who secured the Faizabad seat, notable for its association with Ayodhya's Ram Mandir. Yadav's gesture of bringing Prasad to the front row highlighted strategic coalition-building efforts within the Opposition.
The INDIA bloc, comprising 233 MPs, stands in direct contrast to the BJP-led NDA alliance, which holds 293 seats. This numerical backdrop sets the stage for robust parliamentary exchanges and strategic confrontations over key policy issues.
From the outset, the session was marked by a stormy atmosphere, characterized by Opposition MPs vocally challenging the government. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, like PM Modi, was greeted with waving copies of the Constitution, symbolizing a unified stance against perceived governmental overreach.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan faced chants of 'NEET, NEET' during his oath-taking, reflecting growing discontent over alleged irregularities in competitive exams such as NEET-UG and UGC-NET. DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi articulated widespread concerns, particularly from Tamil Nadu, regarding the fairness and credibility of these examinations.
"Tamil Nadu has consistently raised concerns about NEET's fairness and sought exemption. Today, these concerns resonate nationally," Kanimozhi asserted outside Parliament, emphasizing broader discontent with the examination system's impartiality.
The Opposition's strategy in Parliament will likely focus on scrutinizing the government's handling of educational policies and exam conduct, aiming to hold them accountable for perceived lapses and discrepancies. As the session unfolds, the dynamics between the ruling coalition and the resolute Opposition are set to define legislative deliberations and outcomes in the coming months.
"The credibility of exams conducted by the government is under question. Tamil Nadu always said 'We don't want NEET' and wanted to be exempt from it. Today, it is clear that this exam is not fair... Now, the whole country is saying what we have been saying for a long time," she told reporters outside Parliament."
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