On the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come up with a strong and convincing message to the Opposition against indulging in obstructionism at the new Parliament building.
"In the House, the common man expects debate and diligence. People do not expect tantrums, drama and disturbance. People want substance, not slogans. The country needs a good opposition, a responsible opposition and I am sure that the MPs who have won in this 18th Lok Sabha will try to fulfil those expectations of the common man," said PM Modi.
He called upon all members to avail this opportunity for working toward the welfare and service of the public, asserting that big responsibilities lay on their shoulders.
"The people of the country expect good steps from the opposition... I hope that the opposition will live up to it," he said.
There have been a number of occasions in the past when sessions were disrupted, making normal business impossible, despite the fact that the government was ready for discussions.
The BJP-led NDA had claimed earlier that the Opposition was not willing to take up issues relating to public welfare.
Amidst huge uproar and disruptions, the NDA government has somehow engraved its stamp of approval on several bills, committed to national interests and for the benefit of all sections of society.
The Modi government has time and again claimed that it shows their commitment, efficiency, and legislation capabilities to meet the aspiration of citizens to fulfill the country's future.
PM Modi Views the 18th Lok Sabha as a Gateway to 'Amrit Kaal'
Monday marked the first day of the inaugural session of the 18th Lok Sabha, and all the newly elected members took oath; Prime Minister Narendra Modi was no exception. The session assumes special significance since it has been the first oath-taking ceremony held within the newly built Parliament building since India attained freedom.Speaking to the newly elected MPs, PM Modi quoted the importance of this moment, “Today is a day of pride for our democracy. This election is particularly notable as, for the second time since Independence, a government has been given the mandate to serve for a third consecutive term.” Underscoring the importance and the scale of the general elections, Modi said, “The world’s largest election was conducted in a great and magnificent manner.
Talking about the achievement of a third consecutive term for his party, Modi struck a note of thanks towards the country, underlining, "This reflects the people's trust in our party's intentions, policies, and contributions to public welfare. I sincerely thank the nation for this opportunity." The Prime Minister also thanked the increased representation of youth in the 18th Lok Sabha, saying that it has been a "matter of joy.
Modi called for an introspective Opposition, saying they should live up to citizens' expectations by upholding the dignity of democracy. He said greatly, “The people of the country expect constructive opposition. They do not want drama or disturbance or slogans but substance.”
“I have complete faith that the parliamentarians will aspire to fulfil these expectations,” he added. Reflecting on the symbolic significance of the number 18 in Indian heritage, Modi drew parallels with the 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita and the 18 Puranas and Upapuranas, stressing the importance of duty and compassion and said that this 18th Lok Sabha is “a path to ‘Amrit Kaal’.” The Prime Minister expressed his commitment to serving the nation inclusively, emphasising the significance of consensus in governance. He said, “In the past decade, we have always tried to implement a tradition that a majority should run the government. However, to run a country, a consensus is of foremost importance.”
He pledged to continue being an inclusive government, saying consensus was attached paramount importance in running the country. "In the last decade we have always strived to follow the tradition that while a majority governs, consensus is crucial for effective governance," he said.
As he described the Emergency as a "dark chapter in India's democracy", Modi urged the country to work toward protecting democracy and constitutional values so " that such a dark incident is never repeated in any part of the country". He remarked that June 25 marked 50 years since quite an incident, that "stain on Indian democracy since the day the Constitution was totally ignored and democracy was trampled over.".
The constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha was done with elections spread over seven different phases from April 19 to June 1, 2024. The results announced on June 4 showed that the BJP walked away with the lion's share at 240 seats, while the Congress managed 99. Though falling short of the absolute mark, the BJP once again formed the government with the help of coalition under the national Democratic Alliance (NDA), marking the third straight term for the PM Modi-led government.
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