New Delhi: Today, President Droupadi Murmu will speak at a joint session of Parliament, marking her first address since the start of the 18th Lok Sabha. This session begins the third term of the NDA government.

According to Article 87 of the Constitution, the President must address a joint session of Parliament at the beginning of the first session each year and after every Lok Sabha election. Following the President’s speech, a motion of thanks will be proposed in both Houses.

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha started on Monday, with the Rajya Sabha session beginning today. Om Birla was re-elected as Lok Sabha Speaker, supported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, through a voice vote on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Modi congratulated Birla on his re-election, emphasizing the significant responsibility of holding the Speaker's position for a second term during the Amrit Kaal. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, also congratulated Birla, highlighting the Speaker's role as the final judge of the people's voice and noting the increased representation of the opposition in the 18th Lok Sabha.

In his speech, Birla expressed confidence in the 18th Lok Sabha's commitment to uphold the Constitution and maintain the rule of law and decentralization of powers.

Rahul Gandhi, in his first speech as Leader of the Opposition, stressed the importance of allowing the opposition's voice in the House. He expressed hope for cooperation and trust, enabling the opposition to raise the people's concerns effectively.

Gandhi began his speech by congratulating Birla and emphasizing that the House represents the people's voice, with the Speaker serving as its final arbiter. He pointed out the significant increase in opposition representation and emphasized the need for trust-based cooperation for the House to function well.

During the session, the 49th anniversary of the Emergency declared on June 25, 1975, was observed. The Speaker praised those who strongly opposed the Emergency.

Earlier, the INDIA bloc demanded the Deputy Speaker position, proposing Congress MP K Suresh for the role due to a lack of clarity from the BJP.

In the recent general elections, the NDA secured 293 seats, while the INDIA bloc won 234 seats. The BJP, however, fell short of a majority, securing only 240 seats on its own.

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