New Delhi:

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has accused fugitive Islamic preacher Zakir Naik of trying to mislead Indian Muslims and spreading “false propaganda” over the government’s Waqf Amendment Bill. The controversial preacher had said the proposed law bore “evil repercussions” and appealed to the Muslims to send in their rejections to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) of the Indian Parliament that is examining the Bill. Sharing a QR code and an URL to an online petition, he said at least 5 million Indian Muslims must send their rejections by September 13.

Mr Rijiju called Naik’s online post as “misleading” and “false propaganda”.

“Please do not mislead the innocent Muslims from outside our country. India is a democratic country and people have the right to their own opinion. False propaganda will lead to wrong narratives,” said the Union Minister.

Naik, wanted in India for alleged money laundering and hate speeches, had left the country in 2016.

The Waqf Amendment Bill envisages changes to the existing version on 44 points. This includes the inclusion of two non-Muslim persons, a Union Minister, three MPs and senior IAS officers in the Waqf board. The amendments also require the inclusion of women.

Read | “No Interference In Any Religious Body”: Kiren Rijiju Defends Waqf Bill

The Bill has been criticised as “draconian” by the Opposition parties, but the government said it would lead to transparency and benefits to women and children by protecting their inheritance.

The Waqf Board must use the money it receives for the welfare of widows, divorcees, and orphans the way the government suggests, according to the amendments.

Mr Rijiju had earlier said in the Parliament that the Waqf boards were captured by “some people” and the Bill was brought to give justice to the ordinary Muslims.

New Delhi:

Amidst reports of incursion by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Arunachal Pradesh, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday said the mere painting of marks in undemarcated locations doesn’t mean the areas have been encroached upon.

Kiren Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, also said that overlapping of patrolling by Indian and Chinese forces does take place in the undemarcated areas along the Sino-Indian border but that does not lead to encroachment of Indian territory.

The union minister’s comments came amidst reports that the PLA allegedly entered inside Indian territory in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh last week and they were camping in the Kapapu area of the district for some time.

Pictures of bonfires, painting of rocks and Chinese food materials found at the site have been shared on social media, the reports said.

“China can’t take our land. Overlapping of patrolling does take place in the undemarcated areas. They are not allowed to construct anything permanent. There is strict vigil from our side. Mere painting of marks in undemarcated locations doesn’t mean the areas have been encroached on,” Kiren Rijiju told PTI here.

The union minister said India has been building infrastructure along the border and that will continue.

“But we will not allow anyone to come near the Line of Actual Control,” he said.

The latest incident came at a time when the Indian army continues to engage in a stand-off with the PLA in Ladakh. The stand-off has been going on since April 2020.

India shares a 3,400 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh China continues to claim that Arunachal Pradesh has “always been” its territory, a claim India termed as “absurd” and “ludicrous”.

China, which terms Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, routinely objects to Indian leaders’ visits to the state to highlight its claims. Beijing has also named the area as Zangnan.

India has repeatedly rejected China’s territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of the country.

New Delhi has also dismissed Beijing’s move to assign “invented” names to the area, saying it did not alter the reality.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

In the Centre’s first reaction to the latest report released by Hindenburg Research, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has said that the Congress and some of its allies want to destroy the country. The principal opposition party and others, he said, could not win the elections and are now aligning with anti-India forces.

On Saturday, Hindenburg Research, which is a US-based short-seller, released a report claiming that Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband, Dhaval, had a stake in offshore entities used in alleged financial wrongdoing by the Adani Group.

When he was asked about the report and the allegations made by the Congress, Mr Rijiju said on Monday, “We have to understand that there are many forces, both inside and outside the country, who are against India and work against it. We have to recognise them. The people who are playing games to hurt India’s ascent as an economic power… I feel that the Congress and some of its allies want to destroy the country. They could not defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi because the country is standing with him.”

“Elections have taken place and a new government has been formed under PM Modi. They could not win the elections and they are working with anti-India forces to ensure that India suffers a loss. They will never be successful because the people of India have realised who the anti-India forces are,” Mr Rijiju, who holds the Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs portfolios, added. 

Earlier on Monday, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad took a similar stance and said the Congress is involved in creating economic instability and anarchy against India.

“After losing (the Lok Sabha elections) for a third time, the Congress and its closest ‘toolkit’ allies now want to make the Indian economy unstable. Congress today has developed hatred against India. What Congress wants is to bring back ‘control Raj'” Mr Prasad said.

The BJP leader also stressed that India is a safe, stable and promising market. 

‘Character Assassination’

Madhabi and Dhaval Buch have accused Hindenburg Research of attempting a character assassination of the SEBI chairperson.

“Hindenburg has been served a show cause notice for a variety of violations in India. It is unfortunate that instead of replying to the show cause notice, they have chosen to attack the credibility of SEBI and attempt character assassination of the SEBI Chairperson,” the couple said in a statement. 

The Adani Group has also said Hindenburg Research has made “recycled claims”.

“For a discredited short-seller under the scanner for several violations of Indian securities laws, Hindenburg’s allegations are no more than red herrings thrown by a desperate entity with total contempt for Indian laws,” the group said in an exchange filing.

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

New Delhi:

The Opposition’s ongoing objections about “unparliamentary” language provided some lighter moments in parliament today amid the acrimonious discussion of the Waqf Amendment Bill. This time, Union minister Kiren Rijiju averted a pitfall, with some ‘help’ from senior cabinet colleague Amit Shah. The Minister for Minority Affairs was responding to the debate on the bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha today amid a barrage of Opposition criticism.

Explaining why the government thought it fit to go ahead with the bill, he spoke of a Muslim woman from Uttar Pradesh, directing a jibe at Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav.

“Bushra Fathima… You were probably the Chief Minister then. Didn’t anyone inform you? She is having such a difficult time trying to survive with her children. But if there is no change in Waqf laws, once her husband dies, the property will go to the Waqf board,” Mr Rijiju said, holding her as a case study for the government’s stance that a change in the current law would help women and children.

Amid cries of “Shame, shame” from the treasury benches, he said, “Should we not intervene in such a situation? Should no step be taken to get her justice? Don’t look at this through the prism of religion”.

As the Opposition benches started sounding like an angry beehive, the minister said, “The Congress people have this problem — they ask a question and when I try to clarify matters, they say ‘Form a committee’. Don’t try to run off after raising an issue”.

Then, cutting through more comments about JPC that floated in, Mr Rijiju said, “I just explained matters. On what will be done, Mr Speaker, we will move forward with your agreement and the sense of the House. But so many members spoke today of so many things at length, so many lies (Jhooth) , creating misconceptions…”

Here, interrupted by loud protests, he corrected himself and said “untruths’ (Asathya). But that did not appear to pacify the Opposition. Amid the cacophony, Union Home Minister Amit Shah got up and declared, “Don’t say lies (jhooth). Let’s say they have not spoken the truth”. Even the Speaker was seen smiling broadly at the amendment.

A woman member, presumably from the Opposition, said, “Say untruths and misinformation”. Now Mr Rijiju grinned and in an approving tone, added, “You do know untruths were said and misconception spread”.

While building his case for the bill, Mr Rijiju had said that the law has been in the making for over 10 years and it was time to bite the bullet and do it. Even the Opposition, he said, knew it and approved of it in their hearts. “But they cannot say so because of political reasons,” he said. Citing Leader of the Opposition, Congress’s Rahul Gandhi, who had walked off, Mr Rijiju said, ‘He has given his approval before leaving,” bringing guffaws from his party colleagues.

The Waqf Amendment Bill, which envisages changes to the existing version on 44 points, has been criticised as “draconian” by the Opposition parties. Many leaders have contended that it violates fundamental rights and ideas enshrined in the Constitution, including Article 14, which guarantees equality before law, Article 15, which bars discrimination on basis of religion and Article 25, which guarantees religious freedom.

The government has defended the Bill saying it would lead to transparency and benefits to women and children by protecting their inheritance. 

The bill requires that money received by the Waqf Board must be used for the welfare of widows, divorcees, and orphans in the manner suggested by the government. 

New Delhi:

A handful of people captured Waqf boards in the country and ordinary Muslims did not get justice, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told Lok Sabha today, countering the Opposition’s charge on the Waqf (Amendment) Act that was introduced today.

Mr Rijiju said the provisions in the proposed law are based on multiple inquiry reports over the years and wide-ranging consultations with lakhs of stakeholders.

To bolster his arguments, he cited several instances of encroachment and illegality by Waqf bodies. “Tiruchirapalli district is in Tamil Nadu. The 1,500-year-old Sundareshwar temple is located there. There, a man went to sell his property and was told that his village is a Waqf property. Just imagine, the entire village has been declared Waqf property. Don’t see religion here,” he said.

The minister also cited the example of Surat Municipal Corporation. “Surat Municipal Corporation headquarters was declared Waqf property. Can you imagine? How can this happen?”

“I am a Buddhist, not Hindu or Muslim, but I respect all religions. Don’t see this as a religious issue. Is the municipal corporation a private property? How can municipal property be declared Waqf property,” he questioned.

The minister also pointed to a 1976 inquiry report that recommended steps to discipline Waqf boards. He referred to Sachar committee’s recommendations for more representation in Waqf boards. “You should be happy, you made this committee,” he told the Opposition benches.

Playing up the provision in the proposed law that provides for the representation of Shia, Sunni, Bohra, Agakhani and other backward classes among Muslims, he said, “If one community is crushing smaller communities, how can this Parliament allow it?”

Mr Rijiju said that the Opposition is rooting for a small section of people capturing power in these bodies and that there is widespread discontent within Muslims for Waqf authorities.

He stressed that provisions in the Bill do not interfere with religious freedom or violate the Constitution in any way. The Centre has agreed to send the legislation to a joint parliamentary committee for scrutiny.

Mr Rijiju claimed that many leaders in the Opposition had privately told him that state Waqf boards had turned into mafia. “I won’t take their names and destroy their political careers,” he said.

Earlier, the Opposition targeted the Centre over the proposed changes over Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Congress’s KC Venugopal termed the proposed law “draconian” and said it is an attack on the freedom of religion and federal system. He also opposed the provision of appointing non-Muslim members to Waqf board.

Samajwadi Party, the second-largest Opposition force, also opposed the Bill. “No person from outside the community is part of other religious bodies. What is the point of including non-Muslims in Waqf bodies?” party chief and MP Akhilesh Yadav said.

Defending the legislation, Union Minister and leader of BJP ally JDU, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, said the Bill has been brought to make the functioning of Waqf boards transparent. Countering the Opposition’s charge that the Bill is against minorities, he referred to the 1984 anti-Sik riots in the aftermath of the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. “Who killed thousands of Sikhs?” he asked.

Panaji:

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Saturday that Goa transformed only after the BJP came to power, as it would have collapsed had the Congress continued to rule the coastal state.

Addressing a press conference during his visit to the state on Saturday, Kiren Rijiju said it was only after the BJP came to power in Goa that the coastal state transformed with the help of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I know how Goa has transformed under the BJP regime and how it suffered under the Congress. I sometimes would like to thank god that the BJP came to power in Goa and took all necessary steps for sustaining the state’s development, otherwise, Goa would have collapsed had the Congress rule continued,” he said.

Slamming the Congress, the Union Minister said the grand old party did nothing to build Goa’s infrastructure.

“I have seen changes taking place in Goa after the BJP came to power. Congress never thought about building world-class infrastructure. They were busy in collecting taxes and that too to warm their pockets,” Rijiju alleged.

Speaking about the Union Budget 2024-25, he said it will help the tourism sector grow in Goa.

“Goa will emerge as the most attractive tourist destination in the country. Goa has always been beautiful, but it needs infrastructure and facilities to make it a leading tourist destination,” he said.

“Sustainable tourism growth is important for which we also need to protect our environment. To make Goa a world-class tourist destination, we must develop it in a sustainable manner,” Rijiju said while citing the recent developmental works taken up in the state.

Rijiju also said that the fishing industry in Goa will prosper as there are several benefits for it in the Union Budget.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Hitting out at the Congress Party over the Emergency imposed in 1975, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Kiren Rijiju said the Union government has taken a big step to observe June 25 as the “Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas” to ensure that an incident like the Emergency is never repeated.

Taking a jibe at Congress for holding a copy of Constitution, Kiren Rijiju said that the Congress party “murdered” the Constitution in 1975 and is now doing “drama” by holding a copy of it.

“We can never forget how the Constitution was murdered on the night of 25th June 1975…We have to set an example that what Congress did is not repeated. It is our duty to save the Constitution…” Kiren Rijiju told ANI.

“It is very important for the country. Important for the Constitution. It is our obligation to protect the Constitution given to the country by Dr BR Ambedkar Sahib,” he added.

His reaction came hours in response to the Centre’s announcement to observe June 25 as “Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas”(Constitution Murder Day).

The government said that every year on June 25, the country will remember the great contribution of those who endured the “inhuman pain” of the Emergency of 1975. A notification has also been issued by the Government of India to celebrate June 25 as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’.

Recounting the events that unfolded during the days of Emergency, Kiren Rijiju further said, “Congress party murdered the Constitution and then stages a drama by holding a copy of the Constitution. It is a very wrong thing. Those who were persecuted in 1975…the kind of torture done by the Congress party on the innocent people, putting an end to civil rights, Freedom of press, expression, all was finished. To avoid such incidents, (the government has) taken a big step.”

To pay tributes to all those who suffered and fought against the gross abuse of power during the period of Emergency 1975, the Central government has declared June 25 as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ (Constitution Murder Day).

Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) made the announcement in a gazette notification pointing “a proclamation of Emergency was made on 25th June 1975, following which there was gross abuse of power by the government of the day and people of India were subjected to excesses and atrocities”.

“Whereas, people of India have abiding faith in the Constitution of India and the power of India’s resilient democracy; Therefore, Government of India declares 25 June as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ to pay tribute to all those who suffered and fought against the gross abuse of power during the period of Emergency and to recommit the people of India to not support in any manner such gross abuse of power, in future,” the notification read.

Soon after the notification was issued, Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted on X, “On June 25, 1975, the then PM Indira Gandhi, in a brazen display of a dictatorial mindset, strangled the soul of our democracy by imposing the Emergency on the nation. Lakhs of people were thrown behind bars for no fault of their own, and the voice of the media was silenced.”

Amit Shah added, “The Government of India has decided to observe the 25th of June every year as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas.’ This day will commemorate the massive contributions of all those who endured the inhuman pains of the 1975 Emergency.”

Appreciating the decision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the 1975 Emergency as a “dark phase of Indian history”.

“To observe 25th June as #SamvidhaanHatyaDiwas will serve as a reminder of what happens when the Constitution of India was trampled over. It is also a day to pay homage to each and every person who suffered due to the excesses of the Emergency, a Congress unleashed dark phase of Indian history,” PM Modi posted on X.

Earlier on June 26, the Lok Sabha adopted a resolution condemning the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as Speaker Om Birla read out the resolution condemning the act and said that June 25, 1975, will always be known as a black chapter in the history of India.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

A day after the BJP submitted a notice against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha over alleged inaccuracies in his speech, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said any member trying to mislead the House will not get away easily and the “rules will get them”.

Mr Rijiju was referring to a notice submitted in Lok Sabha by BJP member Bansuri Swaraj urging the Speaker to take cognisance of her notice against certain inaccuracies in Mr Gandhi’s speech on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address.

“When the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha kept on lying about many things, including facts and figures, a notice was put to the Speaker and we have requested the Speaker to take appropriate action. We are waiting for the action,” Mr Rijiju said in response to questions on the issue.

The minister said rules apply equally to everyone as no member is above the Chair in the House.

“Nobody can expect to escape. There is no special privilege for anyone just because he comes from a privileged family,” Mr Rijiju said.

“If anybody wants to misuse the position in the House to mislead the House, he will not easily get away. Rule will get them,” the Parliamentary Affairs minister said.

After Mr Gandhi’s speech on Monday on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Mr Rijiju accused the Congress leader of making “untruthful” claims about a host of issues, including the Agnipath scheme and the compensation paid to locals in Ayodhya.

Under Direction 115 of the Speaker, a member wishing to point out any mistake or inaccuracy in a statement made by a minister or any other member can, before referring to the matter in the House, write to the Speaker pointing out the particulars of the mistake or the inaccuracy and seek permission to raise the issue.

The member may place before the Speaker such evidence that she or he has in support of the allegation.

The Speaker can bring the matter to the notice of the minister or the member concerned to ascertain the factual position. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge went head-to-head with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju Monday over the Prerna Sthal issue, which refers to moving statues of national icons, including Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar, from the front to the rear of the Parliament complex.

Announced last month, the relocation triggered furious protests from an opposition that has frequently protested against the BJP government at the large bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

In a stormy opening session of the Rajya Sabha this morning, Mr Rijiju hit out at the opposition, asserting, “These statues were not placed in a secluded area, but at a proper designated area… Prerna Sthal… in which all statues of important leaders are placed.”

To this Mr Kharge launched a counterattack by saying, “He doesn’t know… he doesn’t know about the committee. This decision should have been first discussed with committee members.”

My statement on relocation of statues of major leaders in the Parliament House Complex —

1. The statues of many great leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, have been removed from their prominent places in the Parliament House Complex and relocated to a…

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) June 16, 2024

“All action should have been taken later,” Mr Kharge said.

The Congress boss has been insistent, since the shift of the statues (approx. 50 of them) was announced, the government has failed to follow protocol. Last month he released a detailed statement on X, arguing the “arbitrary” action “violates the basic spirit of our democracy”.

“Each statue and its location across the Parliament House complex holds immense value and significance… All this has now been brought to a naught in arbitrary and unilateral manner.”

READ | Parliament Statues Row Rumbles On As Prerna Sthal Opens

“There is a dedicated committee for installing portraits and statues of national leaders and MPs in the Parliament complex… which includes MPs from both Houses. However, the committee has not been reconstituted since 2019,” Mr Kharge declared.

The Lok Sabha Secretariat said the shift was because “visitors were not able to view these statues conveniently”. “For this reason, all statues are being respectfully installed in a grand Prerna Sthal…”

The Prerna Sthal was inaugurated by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who called the spot “motivational and inspirational”. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, “People get inspiration from such great men… I think the Prerna Sthal will always inspire the coming generations.”

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New Delhi:

The BJP and the Congress have gone to the mattresses, again.

This time the two are fighting over the appointment of BJP leader and seven-time MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as Pro Tem Speaker, a post active only for the first days of a new Parliament. The Pro Tem leader usually administers the oath to new MPs and conducts the election for a full-time Speaker.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to announce the new Speaker’s name on Wednesday, two days after the first sitting of the newly elected 18th Lok Sabha. Once the Speaker is elected – by a simple majority, meaning the BJP’s pick is unlikely to fail – the Pro Tem’s post ceases to exist.

The Congress – which was expecting Kodikunnil Suresh, a Dalit leader and an eight-time MP from Kerala, to be named Pro Tem – has criticised the BJP over the appointment of Mr Mahtab. Senior leader KC Venugopal called it “an attempt to destroy democratic and parliamentary norms…”

READ | BJP’s Bhartruhari Mahtab Is Pro Tem Speaker, Congress Says “Mistake”

“Government should explain why it chose to overlook K Suresh… what was the factor that disqualified him? Are there deeper issues… perhaps beyond just seniority,” he asked.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju hit back Friday, stating “I have to say it with great regret… I feel ashamed that the Congress talks like this. First, they have an issue with Pro Tem Speaker, but this post is very temporary… it has a very limited role. I was hoping that this Lok Sabha session would start with a good mood… and that we can have a productive and co-operative parliament meet.”

#WATCH | On BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab appointed pro tem Speaker of 18th Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says, “…I have to say it with great regret that I feel ashamed that the Congress party talks like this. First of all, they created an issue about the… pic.twitter.com/iKwodsMRg3

— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2024

He said tradition dictates the longest continuously-serving MP is appointed as Pro Tem, and that the choice is Bhartruhari Mahtab, who won Cuttack from 1998 to 2019 as part of ex-Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s BJD before jumping to the BJP this year to win a seventh consecutive term.

Sources told NDTV Mr Mahtab is also being considered for the full-time post.

READ | Speaker Name On June 26, Odisha, Andhra Leaders On List: Sources

Meanwhile, Mr Suresh and four others – the DMK’s TR Baalu, the Trinamool’s Sudip Bandyopadhyay, and the BJP’s Radha Mohan Singh and Faggan Kulaste – have been appointed to assist Mr Mahtab.

Mr Rijiju told press the selection of a Pro Tem Speaker is based on the ‘father of the House’ concept from the British parliament, in which the longest continuously-serving MP is given the title.

It was in line with that custom that Mr Mahtab was chosen as Pro Tem, Mr Rijiju said as he also criticised the Congress for deriding the Odisha MP, who is one of the senior-most members.

There were, however, exceptions in 1956 and 1977, news agency PTI said. In ’56 Sardar Hukam Singh was named Pro Tem followed by DN Tiwari in ’77. Neither were then the senior-most members.

Responding to the Congress’ fierce attacks, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also acknowledged Mr Suresh as an eight-time MP but pointed to breaks in 1998 and 2004. “So it is not consecutive,” he said. Mr Mahtab, he underlined, had won Cuttack seven consecutive times.

READ | Who Will Be Lok Sabha Speaker? Big Question As Modi 3.0 Begins

Mr Rijiju also hit back at Mr Suresh’s claims that the appointment of the Odisha MP showed the BJP “will continue to bypass parliamentary procedure…” The Congress leader was referring to the election of Virendra Kumar Khatik in 2019; Mr Khatik then was a seven-time consecutive MP with wins from Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar between 1996 and 2004, and in Tikamgarh from 2009 to 2019.

In the 17th Lok Sabha there was also the BJP’s Maneka Gandhi, then an eight-time MP but with one break; she won Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit in 1989 (with the Janata Dal) and then lost in 1991 to the BJP’s Parashuram, before claiming seven straight Lok Sabha wins between 1996 and 2019.

Mr Rijiju pointed out Mrs Gandhi was not Pro Tem in 2019 due to the break.

Earlier the Congress’ Mr Suresh claimed Mrs Gandhi had, in fact, been offered the post but turned it down as she had not been made a Union Minister.

“The senior-most MPs then were myself and Khatik, who was chosen. This time too, we are senior-most. He was made a cabinet minister and therefore, automatically, as per Lok Sabha rules, I should have been made Pro Tem,” he said.

“My name was recommended but when the government sent recommendations to President Droupadi Murmu… my name was avoided,” he claimed.

READ | Lok Sabha Speaker’s Election Expected On June 26

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will begin June 24, with the new MPs taking oath.

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