BJP President JP Nadda has been appointed as the Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, succeeding Piyush Goyal, who has been elected to the 18th Lok Sabha from North Mumbai. Nadda, elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha in February, takes over as Goyal transitions to his new role in the lower house. Additionally, Nadda has been allocated the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the new NDA government. With this change, the BJP also retained three other key Rajya Sabha members: Ashwini Vaishnaw, L. Murugan, and Sudhanshu Trivedi. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge remains the Leader of the Opposition.

The Supreme Court on Monday deferred ruling on Arvind Kejriwal's bail plea in the Delhi liquor policy case, advising the Delhi Chief Minister to await the High Court's decision. Kejriwal's legal team, led by Abhishek Manu Singhvi, argued that the High Court paused the bail granted by a lower court without waiting for its order. Justices Manoj Misra and SV Bhatti emphasized the need to respect the High Court's process and declined to intervene immediately. The High Court is expected to issue its decision on June 25, with the Supreme Court resuming the matter on June 26.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced the 18th Lok Sabha session with a sharp critique aimed at the Congress, labeling the Emergency as a "black spot" on Indian democracy ahead of its 50th anniversary. Addressing the media, PM Modi emphasized his government's commitment to triple its efforts and outcomes in its third consecutive term. He urged for responsible opposition and substantive debates, dismissing theatrics in Parliament. Congress countered, highlighting issues like NEET protests and regional violence. The session, marking the swearing-in of new MPs, sets the stage for robust legislative debates amidst heightened political tensions.

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha commenced today with a focus on contentious issues. Newly elected MPs, including PM Modi, took the oath of office. Opposition parties are set to challenge the government on alleged irregularities in NEET-UG and NET exams, and the appointment of BJP’s Bhartruhari Mahtab as pro tem Speaker. MPs from the INDIA bloc plan to protest near Gate No. 2 of the old Parliament building against statue relocations. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju assured cooperation, while the opposition demanded action on their concerns.

The appointment of BJP's Bhartuhari Mahtab as pro-tem Speaker for the 18th Lok Sabha has upset the INDIA bloc. They claim the BJP ignored tradition by not selecting the senior-most member, K Suresh, a Dalit leader. Opposition parties, including Congress, are withdrawing members from the chairpersons' panel in protest. The government argues Mahtab's uninterrupted tenure justifies the decision. Tensions rise as the INDIA bloc, holding 234 seats, prepares to challenge the ruling NDA on various issues, including the ongoing NEET controversy.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed anger over being excluded from talks between PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on the Teesta water-sharing pact and the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty renewal. Banerjee, who opposes the Teesta water-sharing deal, is seeking support from her INDIA bloc allies and may write a formal complaint to PM Modi. She criticized the decision to manage Teesta water without consulting the West Bengal government, questioning federal unity. The Teesta pact has been pending since 2011 due to Banerjee's concerns about water shortages in North Bengal.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court's decision to stay his bail in the liquor policy case. The High Court had halted the trial court's bail order and postponed proceedings until June 25. Kejriwal's plea argues against the stay, citing violations of legal principles in denying bail and alleging a politically motivated case. He seeks urgent Supreme Court intervention, scheduled for Monday.

The inaugural session of the 18th Lok Sabha commences tomorrow with 280 newly-elected MPs, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, swearing their oaths. The session will include the election of the Lok Sabha Speaker on June 26 and President Droupadi Murmu's address to a joint sitting on June 27. The appointment of Bhartruhari Mahtab as pro tem Speaker has sparked controversy, with opposition criticizing the decision. The session marks a pivotal moment post-general elections, highlighting the BJP-led NDA's majority and anticipated legislative agenda.

Suraj Revanna, JD(S) MLC and grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, was arrested on Saturday for allegedly sodomizing a 27-year-old male party worker at his farmhouse in Holenarasipura Taluk. The assault reportedly occurred on June 16. Revanna, who denies the charges, was booked under IPC sections 377 (unnatural sex) and 506 (criminal intimidation). Meanwhile, the police have also registered a case against the complainant and his relative for allegedly attempting to extort ₹5 crore from Revanna by threatening to file a false sexual assault case if their demands were not met.

Janata Dal-Secular leader Suraj Revanna brother of Prajwal Revanna has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 27-year-old male party worker at a farmhouse in Karnataka's Hassan district. The worker filed a complaint on June 16, accusing Revanna of assault. Revanna denies the charge, claiming the worker demanded ₹5 crore and filed a false complaint when he refused. Revanna's friend Shivkumar has also filed a complaint, alleging the worker blackmailed them after failing to get a job. The incident comes as Suraj's brother, Prajwal Revanna, faces allegations of sex crimes from multiple women. The case has sparked a political controversy in the state.