New Delhi, July 20: Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera took his oath as a Rajya Sabha member on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session. Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan administered the oath of office during a ceremony attended by parliamentary officials and dignitaries.
Pawan Khera enters the Upper House representing Karnataka, following his uncontested election alongside veteran politician Mallikarjun Kharge and Mansoor Ali Khan. The state delegation also included BJP representative M Nagaraj, who secured his seat unopposed.
The induction ceremony featured representatives spanning multiple political groups and geographical regions. From the Bharatiya Janata Party, Dr Mukeshbhai J Rathwa from Gujarat, Mahesh Kewat from Madhya Pradesh, and Prakash Chik Baraik from West Bengal took their oaths. Representing the Northeast, James Pangsang Kongkal Sangma of the National People’s Party was sworn in to represent Meghalaya.
While the Upper House proceeded with member inductions, the Lok Sabha faced an early disruption shortly after convening. Speaker Om Birla opened the proceedings by paying tribute to several former parliamentarians and international figures, including Nadendla Bhaskara Rao, Major General Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri, and His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.
Opposition members initiated persistent sloganeering immediately following the solemn references. Demonstrators pressed for discussions regarding examination integrity issues alongside allegations surrounding the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Despite repeated calls from Speaker Om Birla requesting order, the continued disruptions led to a temporary adjournment of the Lower House.
