New Delhi — Vice President of India and Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan administered the oath of office to nine newly elected and re-elected Members of Parliament (MPs) at the Parliament House.
The swearing-in ceremony took place in the presence of senior parliamentary figures, marking the official induction of these lawmakers into the Upper House of Parliament. The group of nine newly sworn-in members represents diverse political affiliations and geographic states across India, ranging from Gujarat and Karnataka to West Bengal and the Northeastern region.
List of Newly Sworn-In Rajya Sabha Members
The following lawmakers were administered the oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India by Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan:
- Dr. Mukeshbhai J. Rathwa – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Gujarat
- Shri Pawan Khera – Indian National Congress (INC), Karnataka
- Shri Mahesh Kewat – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Madhya Pradesh
- Shri James Pangsang Kongkal Sangma – National People’s Party (NPP), Meghalaya
- Shri Khiangte Laltluangkima – Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), Mizoram
- Dr. Satish Poonia – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rajasthan
- Shri Prakash Chik Baraik – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), West Bengal
- Smt. Sushmita Dev – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), West Bengal
- Shri Sukhendu Sekhar Ray – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), West Bengal
Breakdown of State and Political Representation
The newly sworn-in cohort reflects a diverse mix of cross-party representation and geographic spread:
1. Eastern India and West Bengal
West Bengal accounted for three sworn-in members in this group. Lawmakers including Shri Prakash Chik Baraik, Smt. Sushmita Dev, and Shri Sukhendu Sekhar Ray took their oaths to represent the state in the Council of States.
2. Northeastern Representation
The Northeast was represented by key political figures from Meghalaya and Mizoram. Shri James Pangsang Kongkal Sangma of the National People’s Party (NPP) was sworn in for Meghalaya, while Shri Khiangte Laltluangkima of the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) took the oath representing Mizoram.
3. Western and Central States
- Gujarat: Dr. Mukeshbhai J. Rathwa assumed his seat representing Gujarat.
- Rajasthan: Senior leader Dr. Satish Poonia was sworn in representing Rajasthan.
- Madhya Pradesh: Shri Mahesh Kewat joined the Upper House representing Madhya Pradesh.
4. Southern Region
From Southern India, senior spokesperson Shri Pawan Khera of the Indian National Congress (INC) took his oath representing Karnataka.
Significance of Swearing-In in Parliamentary Procedure
The administration of the oath under Article 99 of the Constitution of India is a mandatory requirement before any elected or nominated member can take their seat in either House of Parliament.
- Constitutional Compliance: Members must make and subscribe to an oath or affirmation according to the Third Schedule of the Constitution before participating in parliamentary debates or voting on legislative bills.
- Strengthening House Business: The swearing-in of these members ensures full representation for their respective states during crucial parliamentary sessions, allowing state interests and regional legislative issues to be voiced effectively on the national floor.
Conclusion
With the swearing-in of these nine members across six states, the Rajya Sabha continues to maintain its full legislative functionality. As these lawmakers assume their official duties, they will contribute to legislative discussions, committee deliberations, and public policy formulation in Parliament.
Key Takeaways
- Oath Administered: Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan administered the oath to nine MPs.
- Multi-State Representation: Members represent Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Rajasthan, and West Bengal.
- Cross-Party Cohort: The group includes leaders from BJP, INC, NPP, and ZPM.
- Constitutional Role: Completes the required parliamentary swearing-in procedure enabling MPs to vote and participate in debates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who administered the oath to the newly elected Rajya Sabha members?
Vice President of India and Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan administered the oath of office.
Q2: How many members took the oath during this ceremony?
A total of nine newly elected and re-elected Members of Parliament took the oath.
Q3: Which states are represented by the newly sworn-in Rajya Sabha MPs?
The MPs represent Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Rajasthan, and West Bengal
