The death of Union Rural Development Minister Gopinath Munde on Tuesday will cast a shadow over the first sitting of the 16 Lok Sabha on Wednesday. In line with convention whenever a sitting member dies, the Lok Sabha will meet and adjourn for the day after offering condolences to the deceased member.
Consequently, the swearing-in of newly elected members of the Lok Sabha will now take place on Thursday and Friday. Earlier, this was to have begun on Wednesday and wrapped up by Thursday evening. This is a time-consuming exercise as each member takes the oath individually.
The House could sit late on Thursday so that the process is completed on Friday well in time for the election of the Speaker.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Kamal Nath will be sworn-in as protem Speaker by President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday morning just ahead of the first sitting of the Lok Sabha. As protem Speaker, Mr. Nath will preside over proceedings of the House till the election of the Speaker.
