Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi met Speaker Om Birla as a courtesy call and voiced his disagreement over the reference to Emergency made by the speaker, saying it was "clearly political" and could have been avoided.

4:37 PM

'We can't simply forget what happened in the past': BJP MP Arun Govil on President's remarks on Emergency

"We can't simply forget what happened in the past. Congress never mentions what they did with the Constitution but only talks about saving the Constitution now," BJP MP Arun Govil said on the President's remarks on the Emergency.

4:30 PM

Political reference from Speaker is unprecedented: Cong leader writes to Om Birla

Congress General Secretary in-charge of Organisation and MP KC Venugopal today wrote a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, highlighting that his reference to the Emergency in his acceptance speech on Wednesday was “deeply shocking”.

In the letter, Venugopal wrote,"..reference from the Chair after your acceptance speech, in regard to declaration of Emergency half a century ago, is deeply shocking. Making of such a political reference from the Chair is unprecedented in the annals of history of Parliament. This coming from the Chair as one of the ‘first duties’ from a newly elected Speaker assumes even graver proportions."

4:06 PM

Address was comprehensive; a roadmap of progress and good governance: PM Modi on President Murmu's address

"Rashtrapati Ji's address to both Houses of Parliament was comprehensive and presented a roadmap of progress and good governance. It covered the strides India has been making and also the potential that lies ahead. Her address also mentioned some of the major challenges we have to collectively overcome to ensure a qualitative change in the lives of our citizens," Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on X.

3:45 PM

President's address 'seemed one-sided':Congress MP

Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat stated that President Droupadi Murmu's address "seemed one-sided", and that the party was "unhappy" with the mention of the Emergency. "I was very excited for the President's address today but it was very disappointing. We were unhappy to see mention of Emergency. In the address, every sector of the country should have been mentioned but it seemed very one-sided," Bhagat said.

3:35 PM

PM Modi featured 73 times, Rahul Gandhi only 6: Jairam Ramesh slams Sansad TV

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh underscored the stark disparities in of Sansad TV's coverage. PM Modi appeared on screen 73 times, while Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, was shown merely 6 times. The government received camera attention 108 times, in contrast to the opposition's 18 times.

3:19 PM

President's address had no mention of minorities or unemployment, says Asaduddin Owaisi

"In the entire address, there was no mention of minorities or unemployment. US State Secretary Antony Blinken said yesterday that there has been an increase in hate speech in India and religious places of minorities are getting demolished. There was nothing new in the address, it was like an old wine in a new bottle...Re-NEET should have been done. There are paper leaks everywhere. They are playing with the lives of 25 lakh youth and their families," AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi stated today.

2:12 PM

President's address is actually the speech of the government, says SP chief Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday reacted to the President's Address to the joint session of both Houses of Parliament and said that it is a tradition and the speech in reality represents the government's views.

"This is the tradition and it happens every time. We listen to the President. That is actually the speech of the Government," said Akhilesh Yadav.

2:09 PM

Govt is yet to understand that it has come down to 240 seats from 303, says TMC MP Mahua Moitra

"As per the rules, the President reads the speech written by the government. So, the problem of the government is that it is yet understand that it has come down to 240 (seats) from 303 (seats). The speech that they prepared for the President was based on 303 (seats). This is a minority government, but she said that the government has clear majority," Trinamool Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra said today.

1:11 PM

News update: Six new MPs take oath as members of Rajya Sabha

Six new MPs took the oath as members of the Rajya Sabha today.

1:05 PM

News update: PM Modi introduces Cabinet in Rajya Sabha

1:04 PM

News update: BJP chief and Health Minister JP Nadda appointed as Leader of Rajya Sabha

12:59 PM

News update: Lok Sabha adjourned for the day

12:58 PM

Opposing policies and obstructing Parliament are two different things: President Murmu

"Opposition of policies and obstruction of parliamentary functioning are two different things. When Parliament conducts its business smoothly, healthy deliberations take place here, and far-reaching decisions are taken, then the people repose confidence not only in the Government but also in the entire system," President Droupadi Murmu stated as she addressed the first joint sitting of the 18th Lok Sabha.

12:42 PM

People of Jammu and Kashmir gave fitting reply to India's enemies, says President on voter turnout in J-K

President Draupadi Murmu congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the high voter turnout recorded in the union territory. "A very good outcome has emerged from Jammu and Kashmir in this election. Voting records of decades have been broken," Murmu said.

"In the last four decades, we only saw low voter turnout in Kashmir amid strikes and shutdowns. Enemies of India used to project it as the opinion of Jammu and Kashmir on the global stage. This time, the people of Jammu and Kashmir gave a befitting reply to such forces," Murmu added.

President Droupadi Murmu addressed a joint sitting of Parliament today, which was her first presidential address after the formation of the NDA government. After this, a motion of thanks will be moved in both Houses of Parliament, which will be discussed by the members. The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha commenced on Monday and the Rajya Sabha session will begin from today. President Murmu is also expected to shed light on the agenda of the newly-elected NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In his first speech as Leader of the Opposition, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi underscored that it was important that the voice of the Opposition be allowed in the House. Gandhi stated the Opposition wanted the House to function "often and well," adding that it was very important that cooperation happen with trust. Gandhi congratulated Om Birla for being elected speaker of the Lok Sabha for a second term."Mr Speaker, this House represents the voice of the people of India and you, sir, are the final arbiter of that voice. Of course, the government has political power, but the opposition also represents the people of India," he said.

BJP MP Om Birla was elected through voice vote as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The motion was moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seconded by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also extended wishes to Birla and accompanied him to the chair along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and PM Modi.

Connect with us on WhatsApp

Topics :Narendra Modi Rahul Gandhi Samajwadi Party BJP Congress mallikarjun kharge All India Trinamool Congress Chirag Paswan Parliament

First Published: Jun 27 2024 | 9:42 AM IST

Parliament news updates: Both Houses adjourned for the day

Parliament news updates: Catch all the latest new updates related to the Parliament here

Key Events

Rahul meets LS Speaker, says reference to Emergency could have been avoided