New Delhi [India], June 20: President Droupadi Murmu has appointed BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as pro tem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. Suresh Kodikunnil, Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu, Radha Mohan Singh, Faggan Singh Kulaste, and Sudip Bandyopadhyay will assist Mahtab in the oath-taking of newly-elected members.
The Congress criticized the decision, stating that according to convention, the longest-serving MP should hold the role. Party MP Kodikunnil Suresh, entering his eighth term, was overlooked, causing controversy.
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha commences on June 24, with the Rajya Sabha session starting on June 27.
