Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav from Bihar's Purnia drew attention as he took oath as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the words “ReNEET” and the alleged NEET-PG. Amid demands to cancel the 2024 exam. Paper leaks. Yadav concluded his oath with a series of slogans that sparked a heated exchange in Parliament.
“NEET again, special status for Bihar, long live Seemanchal, long live Manutwad, long live Bheem, long live Samudhyan,” he said, prompting objections from members of the Treasury bench.
As the ruling alliance legislators expressed their disapproval, Yadav retorted, “I am a six-time MP. You will teach me? You won at the mercy (of others). I fight alone.” “
Pappu Yadav merged his Jan Adhikar Party with the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, but his hopes of contesting from Purnia were dashed when ally RJD unilaterally fielded JD(U) turncoat MLA Bima Bharti. Announced the candidacy of Pappu Yadav contested as an independent and won the seat by a margin of 23,000 votes. Bharti finished third and lost his deposit. Yadav represented the seat thrice in the 1990s.
On the second day of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, members raised various slogans after taking oath. Several MPs chanted 'Jai Hind', 'Jai Maharashtra', 'Jai Bheem' and 'Jai Shivaji' after taking the oath.
Read: Om Birla vs K Suresh: What does the Congress-led opposition hope to achieve from the election of Lok Sabha Speaker?
On at least one occasion, the pro tem speaker reminded members not to deviate from the prescribed oath and read only what was written on the paper given to them.
Alfred S. Arthur, Congress MP from Outer Manipur, took the oath in English and said, “Bring new people to Manipur, save the country.”
Read: Lok Sabha Speaker Election: What Rahul Gandhi Said on Supporting NDA Candidate?
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi praised the conflict-torn West Asian region after he was sworn in as a Lok Sabha member, prompting an uproar from the Treasury benches that led to the chair removing him from the record.