Parliament Live Updates: Please follow this space and keep refreshing the page for all the latest updates pertaining to the joint session on Thursday. President Droupadi Murmu will address the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Thursday, where she is expected to outline the priorities of the newly-elected government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The address will be President Murmu’s first to the joint sitting of Parliament following the constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha. The initial session of the Lok Sabha commenced on Monday, and the 264th session of the Rajya Sabha will begin on June 27.
President Murmu will arrive at Parliament in a procession from the Rashtrapati Bhavan, escorted by the horse-mounted presidential bodyguards. She will be received at the Gaja Dwar of the Parliament building by Prime Minister Modi and the pressing officers of both Houses. She will then be escorted to the Lower House chamber with the traditional sceptre ‘Sengol’ leading the way.
According to Article 87 of the Constitution, the President must address a joint session of Parliament at the beginning of the session following each Lok Sabha election. The President also addresses a joint sitting of both Houses in the first session of Parliament every year.
Through the President’s address, the government outlines its programmes and policies, highlights the steps taken in the previous year, and spells out priorities for the upcoming year.
Following the President’s address, the ruling party will move a motion of thanks in both Houses of Parliament, which will be debated by members. Prime Minister Modi is expected to reply to the debate on the motion of thanks on July 2-3.
President Murmu is anticipated to provide an overview of the Modi government’s policies over the past decade, covering achievements in various sectors such as the economy, defence, healthcare, education and social welfare.
A resurgent Opposition is expected to challenge the government on several issues, including NEET-UG Irregularities, cancellation of UGC-NET, terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, train accidents, and rising prices of essential commodities.
In the recent general elections, the ruling BJP-led NDA retained power for a third consecutive term by winning 293 seats, falling short of its expectations of 400 seats. The Opposition emerged stronger with I.N.D.I.A bloc winning 233 seats, including 98 seats for Congress, nearly double the 52 seats it had won in 2019.