'Not Like NTA Grading...': Rijiju, Jairam Ramesh's Stormy Exchange Ahead Of 18th Lok Sabha Session

Two senior parliamentarians – Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh- on Monday exchanged stormy barbs hours ahead of the first day of the 18th Lok Sabha Session.

The back and forth between the two leaders began when Rijiju posted a welcome message for members of the 18th Lok Sabha this morning adding that he will be available to assist in the smooth functioning of the house.

“The First Session of the 18th Lok Sabha begins today, the 24th of June, 2024. I welcome all the newly elected Hon’ble members. I shall be always available to assist the members as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. I’m positively looking forward to co-ordination to run the house,” he wrote on X.

However, the social media post received a sharp response from a senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP who said that he would believe the government when they showed their intent in actions.

“Actions will speak louder than words Mr Minister. Walk the Talk,” he said in reply to the minister’s post.

To this, Rijiju gave a ‘tit for tat’ response to the Congress leader calling him an “asset to the House if he contributes 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 wrote on X.

However, Ramesh did not seem the one to back down and responded to Rijiju with a vile dig regarding the National Testing Agency (NTA) amid the ongoing paper leak controversy.

“Thanks, Mr Minister. I hope your certificate of my intelligence is not like the NTA grading. Is it with grace marks?” Ramesh added.

The opposition leader’s remarks came amid a raging row over alleged irregularities in competitive exams, including the NEET-UG and the UGC-NET.

The education ministry on Saturday set up a panel to review the NTA’s functioning, recommend exam reforms and ensure data security.

First Day of 18th Lok Sabha Session Begins

Meanwhile, the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha commenced on Monday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other newly-elected MPs taking oath as members of Lok Sabha.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari also took oath as members of the 18th Lok Sabha.