17th Lok Sabha's first session begins; PM Modi, other MPs take oath

The first session of 17th Lok Sabha started today. Ahead of the session, PM Modi said he was hopeful that the session would be fruitful. "The role of an Opposition and an active Opposition is important in a parliamentary democracy. The Opposition need not bother about their numbers. I hope they speak actively and participate in House proceedings," PM Modi told reporters. The prime minister also urged all MPs to think of the country when in the House and address issues related to the larger interest of the nation. PM Modi said, "When we come to Parliament, we should forget Paksh (treasury) and Vipaksh (opposition). We should think about issues with a 'nishpaksh' (non-partition) spirit and work in the larger interest of the nation,"

Earlier, former Union Minister and seven-time MP Virendra Kumar was sworn in as the Protem Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Kumar had served as the Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs between September 2017 and May 2019. At the start of the session, elected MPs, including PM Modi, were sworn-in by the Protem speaker. 

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the government and opposition parties should work together for the welfare of the people.

The first session of 17th Lok Sabha will see the passing of the Union Budget and some key legislations like Triple Talaq bill. The first two days of the new session will be devoted to oath-taking by 542 members of the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha speaker will be elected on Wednesday followed by a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on Thursday when President Ramnath Kovind will deliver his customary address.