In what appears to be a trailer to a stormy Parliament session, two senior parliamentarians of the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress traded barbs this morning, hours before the new Lok Sabha meets.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister and senior BJP leader Kiren Rijiju posted a welcome message for members of the 18th Lok Sabha this morning. “The First Session of 18th Lok Sabha begins today, the 24th June, 2024. I welcome all the new elected hon’ble members. I shall be always available to assist the members as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. I’m positively looking forward for co-ordination to run the house,” he said.

The First Session of 18th Lok Sabha begins today, the 24th June, 2024. I welcome all the new elected hon’ble members. I shall be always available to assist the members as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. I’m positively looking forward for co-ordination to run the house. pic.twitter.com/kS3qdeO32O

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) June 24, 2024

The post drew a sharp barb from senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh. “Actions will speak louder than words Mr. Minister. Walk the Talk,” he said in reply to the minister’s post.

Actions will speak louder than words Mr. Minister. Walk the Talk https://t.co/DrsuYAXf3p

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 24, 2024

Mr Rijiju responded that the Congress leader can be an “asset to the House if you contribute positively”. “Absolutely @Jairam_Ramesh Ji. You are an intelligent member and you will be a valuable asset to the house if you contribute positively. Differences will remain amongst political parties in Parliamentary Democracy but we are united in our service to the nation. Looking forward to your cooperation in maintaining India’s rich Parliamentary traditions,” he said.

Absolutely @Jairam_Ramesh Ji. You are an intelligent member and you will be a valuable asset to the house if you contribute positively. Differences will remain amongst political parties in Parliamentary Democracy but we are united in our service to the nation. Looking forward to…

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) June 24, 2024

In no mood to back down, Mr Ramesh responded with a swipe featuring the National Testing Agency (NTA), which has left the government red-faced owing to irregularities in conduct of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. “Thanks Mr. Minister. I hope your certificate of my intelligence is not like the NTA grading. Is it with grace marks?,” Mr Ramesh said.

Thanks Mr. Minister. I hope your certificate of my intelligence is not like the NTA grading. Is it with grace marks? https://t.co/dOe7NLVGkW

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 24, 2024

Buoyed by its good show in this general election that denied a majority to the BJP, the Opposition is gearing up to corner the ruling party on key issues. This biggest among them is mismanagement in the conduct of all-India competitive exams such as the NEET (UG and PG) and UGC-NET.

Another issue that has emerged as a flashpoint between the treasury and the Opposition benches in the election of the pro-tem Speaker. While the BJP has chosen its seven-time MP Bhartruhari Mahtab for the temporary post, the Congress has questioned why its eight-time MP K Suresh was not selected. Mr Rijiju has explained that Mr Suresh’s term in the House is not uninterrupted, but the Congress is not ready to budge and has announced that members of the INDIA Opposition bloc will not assist the pro-tem Speaker in administering the oath to the new MPs.

A case has been filed against two Maharashtra school teachers for their alleged involvement in the NEET paper leak case. The First Information Report or FIR has been registered in Maharashtra’s Latur.

Sanjay Tukaram Jadhav and Jalil Umarkhan Pathan were picked up by the Nanded Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) yesterday. They used to teach in Zilla Parishad schools and also run private coaching centres in Latur.

Jalil Umarkhan Pathan was taken into custody yesterday after hours-long questioning, while Sanjay Tukaram Jadhav is on the run.

Police have found admit cards and WhatsApp chats of several students on their phones. Both men were in regular contact with a man in the national capital.

Delhi-based Gangadhar helped Sanjay Tukaram Jadhav and Jalil Umarkhan Pathan contact aspirants willing to pay a hefty price for guaranteed success.

The FIR registered by the Maharashtra police also names Gangadhar and Iranna Kongalwar – a trainer at a coaching institute in Nanded. The case has been filed on the charges of cheating and criminal conspiracy.

The CBI was handed over the probe into NEET paper leak case on Saturday as the government vowed to protect the interest of the students. It is also probing the UGC-NET irregularities, which include papers being leaked and sold on the dark net.

The government has also operationalised a stringent law that aims to curb malpractices and irregularities in competitive examinations. A maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for offenders are some of the tough measures under the law

Bihar Police had earlier arrested four persons who had confessed to having leaked the question papers a night before the NEET UG exam. Cops are now probing the role of ‘solver gangs’ that sell leaked exam papers to students and provide proxy candidates to take tests for candidates.

Delhi’s minister Atishi is on a hunger strike demanding Delhi’s share of water from Haryana. Her health is deteriorating, but she remains resolute. The crisis, exacerbated by Haryana’s actions on the Yamuna river, has left Delhi residents parched.