It will be keenly observed whether the first Budget Session of the 18th Lok Sabha will be productive or marked by disruptions, especially considering the assertive stance taken by the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi, who is returning from a personal visit abroad on Monday morning, will lead the INDIA bloc to formulate its strategy. The Congress remains firm on its demand for the Deputy Speaker position. After the all-party meeting on Sunday, with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh strongly pushed for the post of Deputy Speaker.
According to sources, the Opposition is unlikely to budge from its position. The government also does not seem to be in a mood to give this post to the Opposition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given the post of deputy speaker to its then ally AIADMK in his first term, while in the second term this post was kept vacant. Sources said that PM Modi will give the post of deputy speaker to one of its allies or it will be kept vacant again.
In the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, the INDIA bloc had disrupted Parliament and Prime Minister Modi's speech. The government is now prepared to handle any further disruptions, with plans to push Bills through even amid uproar.
During the first session, Congress strongly criticized the government over issues of the Constitution and reservation. Meanwhile, politics in Uttar Pradesh has intensified following Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's order to display the names of shop owners in routes of Kanwar yatris. This issue was raised in the all-party meeting, but Rahul Gandhi has not yet commented on it. Only Priyanka Gandhi has spoken out from Congress. Congress sources indicate that no concessions will be made to the government at this time. If the Opposition maintains its confrontational stance, Rahul Gandhi may find himself unable to speak in the House, as ruling party members might obstruct him. Consequently, the first budget session of the 18th Lok Sabha could face disruptions similar to those seen in the final budget sessions of the 17th Lok Sabha.
