BJP Vs India Bloc Over Pro-Tem Speaker May Cast Shadow Over Parliament Session

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha beginning Monday will see oath-taking by newly elected members followed by election of the Lok Sabha Speaker on June 26 and President Droupadi Murmu's address to a joint sitting of both the houses on June 27. The row over appointment of BJP leader and seven-term member Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker is likely to cast a shadow over the session. The move has drawn the ire of the Opposition. Historically, the pro-tem Speaker is usually the most senior member of the house, who administers the oath to newly elected members and oversees the proceedings until a permanent Speaker is elected.