The first day of 18th Lok Sabha

While a majority is necessary to form a government, PM Modi emphasized that “consensus is very important” to manage the nation, highlighting the difficulties of leading a coalition administration in his third term.

On the first day of the 18th Lok Sabha session, the opposition and the Treasury benches had differing opinions. The freshly elected MPs took an oath of office in the new Parliament building for the first time since Independence, a moment that Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed as historic for India’s parliamentary democracy.

The PM did, however, promise to work “three times harder” and made a jab at the opposition, particularly the Congress, calling the June 25, 1975, emergency a “black spot on the Constitution.”

The Congress responded by accusing Modi of using “diversionary” techniques and asserting that the Prime Minister’s first speech to the 18th Lok Sabha had no fresh information.

Modi highlighted the difficulties of leading a coalition government during his third term, emphasizing that although a majority is needed to form a government, “consensus is very important” to govern the nation. This underscores the BJP’s dependence on allies and like-minded opposition parties to further India’s goals.

Following the recent general elections, the BJP was unable to obtain an absolute majority of 272 seats, leaving it with 240 seats in the 543-member Lower House.

“It is a matter of pride that a government has been given the chance to serve the country for three consecutive times after gaining independence for the second time,” he continued.

He noted that the people’s approval of the government’s goals, policies, and commitment is reflected in this third-term mandate. Additionally, Modi stated that the people look to the House for serious discussion and hard work rather than interruptions and drama.

People look for content, not catchphrases. The nation requires a robust and accountable opposition, and I have faith that the Members of Parliament chosen for the 18th Lok Sabha will work hard to represent the interests of the average citizen.”

Modi extended an olive branch to the opposition, encouraging them to take part in nation-building, stressing the common responsibility required to meet India’s development goals and pull out 25 crore citizens from poverty.

“We have the chance to make the ambitions of Indian citizens a reality during parliament sessions. We have the chance to construct Shreshtha Bharat and accomplish our objective of Viksit Bharat by 2047.”

Among those sworn in as members of the Lok Sabha were road and transport minister Nitin Gadkari, home minister Amit Shah, and minister of defence Rajnath Singh. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also took the oath amid opposition protests over the NEET paper leak.

Jairam Ramesh, the leader of the Congress, criticized the Prime Minister on the microblogging platform X. He stated, “As the 18th Lok Sabha gets ready to start its term, the non-biological PM, who suffered a resounding personal, political, and moral defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, has just given his usual desh ke naam sandesh outside the Parliament.”