Lok Sabha Speaker amends oath-taking rules after MPs raise slogans

As per the amendment to 'Direction 1', the new clause bars an MP-elect from using any prefixes or suffixes and has to stick to the oath or affirmation.

The change in rules has come after several MPs raised slogans like 'Jai Samvidhan', 'Jai Hindu Rashtra', 'Joy Bangla', 'Jai Palestine' while taking oath.

The parliamentarians ignored the repeated requests by then Pro-Tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab not to raise the slogans.

The raising of slogans triggered a huge faceoff between the treasury and opposition benches on June 24 and 25.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi chanted "Jai Bheem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine" at the conclusion of his oath, drawing ire from the ruling BJP.

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha concluded on July 2.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to power for a rare third term after his BJP-led national coalition NDA won 293 seats despite the saffron party losing the majority.

Government candidate Om Birla was elected as the Speaker despite a contest with the Opposition nominee K Suresh.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was chosen as the Leader of Opposition, the post which was filled after 10 years as the grand old party had improved its tally to 99 seats in 2024.