New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Bhratruhari Mahtab was took oath as the pro-tem speaker for 18th Lok Sabha on Monday, June 24, amid the ongoing row over seniority. He was administered the oath by President Droupadi Murmu. 

Mahtab is tasked with presiding over the proceedings of the Lok Sabha on June 24 and 25 when new members take oath as members of Parliament. On Wednesday, he will preside over the House when a new Speaker will be elected, while President Droupadi Murmu will be addressing a joint-sitting of both houses of Parliament.

As Bhratruhari Mahtab was appointed as the pro-tem speaker for the 18th Lok Sabha, the Opposition had accused the ruling-BJP of overlooking seniority. The INDI leaders alleged that seven-term MP Bhratruhari Mahtab was appointed as pro-tem Speaker,  instead of Congress leader K Suresh, who is an eighth-term MP. 

The Congress said that appointment of BJP MP Mahtab deviates from the traditional practice of appointing the senior member. As a sign of protest, the INDI leaders are likely to not assist the pro-tem speaker in the proceedings of the house. The INDI leaders have decided to not sit on the chair during the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected MPs. 

The Opposition MPs are likely to sit out of the parliamentary process after BJP MP Bhratruhari Mahtab was appointed as pro-tem Speaker. The Congress said that party leader K Suresh was senior to Mahtab