The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha began on Monday with all the newly-elected members of Parliament, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, taking their oaths. This marks a historic moment as it is the first time a swearing-in ceremony is being held in the new Parliament building since Independence.
In his address to the newly elected MPs, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the significance of this session. He remarked, “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.” Emphasizing the scale and importance of the general elections, Modi added, “The world’s largest election was conducted in a great and magnificent manner.”
Reflecting on the people’s recognition of his party’s efforts, Modi said, “This third term reflects the people’s recognition and acknowledgment of our party’s intentions, policies, and contributions towards the public. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the nation for this opportunity.” He also praised the increased representation of youth in the 18th Lok Sabha, calling it a “matter of happiness.” The Prime Minister called for a responsible opposition, urging them to meet the expectations of the citizens by upholding the dignity of democracy. He stated, “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. Drawing on Indian heritage, Modi noted the symbolic significance of the number 18, paralleling it with the 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita and the 18 Puranas and Upapuranas. He emphasized the importance of duty and compassion, saying this 18th Lok Sabha is “a path to ‘Amrit Kaal’.” Modi expressed his commitment to serving the nation inclusively and stressed the importance 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.”
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“We will always aim to serve Maa Bharti and fulfil the aspirations of 140 crore people with consensus, upholding the sanctity of the nation’s Constitution,” he added. Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, Modi called it a “dark chapter in India’s democracy” and urged the nation to resolve to protect democracy and constitutional values to ensure similar events never recur. He noted that June 25 marks 50 years since that dark chapter, and the new generation must remember that the “Constitution was completely rejected, democracy was squashed.”
The 18th Lok Sabha was formed following general elections held over seven phases from April 19 to June 1, 2024. The results declared on June 4 saw the BJP securing the most seats with 240, followed by Congress with 99. Despite falling short of an absolute majority, the BJP formed the government through a coalition under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), marking the third consecutive term for the PM Modi-led government.
