— President Droupadi Murmu slams Emergency, praises EVMs
— Rahul Gandhi elected as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
— BJP MP Om Birla re-elected as Lok Sabha Speaker
New Delhi: The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha commenced this week with all the newly-elected members of the Parliament, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, taking oaths. This historic session marks the first time a swearing-in ceremony was held in the new Parliament building since Independence.
PM Modi said this is a day of pride for our democracy. “The world's largest election was conducted in a great and magnificent manner. This third term reflects the people's recognition and acknowledgment of our party's intentions, policies, and contributions towards the public,” he told the parliamentarians.
Urging the opposition to meet the expectations of the citizens of the country and upholding the dignity of democracy, he said, "The people of the country expect constructive opposition. They do not want drama or disturbance or slogans but substance."
The Prime Minister expressed his commitment to serving the nation inclusively, emphasizing the significance of consensus in governance. Deliberating on the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, the Prime Minister called it a "dark chapter in India's democracy" and urged the nation to resolve to protect democracy and constitutional values and make sure similar events never reoccur.
Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu addressed the joint session of both houses of Parliament, where she spoke about a wide range of topics, including recent paper leak cases, higher voter turnout in Kashmir valley during recently held Lok Sabha polls, concerns over EVMs, India's agriculture and forthcoming budget.
In her first presidential address after the formation of the BJP-led NDA government, the president said the newly-formed NDA government's first budget will be futuristic and will facilitate fast-tracked reforms. President Murmu also invoked Emergency, calling it "an attack on the Constitution and a source of chaos and panic in the country".
Amid concerns raised over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) by the opposition, President Murmu praised the EVMs in her address and said the "misinformation campaign was unfortunate". "The EVM has passed every test, from the Supreme Court to the people's court, in the last few decades," she said.
On the other hand, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi expressed his gratitude to the people of India, party workers and the INDIA bloc partners for placing their trust in him for the role of Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha.
He emphasized that the position of the Leader of Opposition is not merely a title, but a significant responsibility to represent people's voices and advocate their interests and rights. "I stand in solidarity with the Dalits, poor, deprived, minorities, farmers, and laborers. We will vigorously oppose any government efforts to undermine or attack the Constitution, and we will steadfastly defend it,” said Gandhi.
Om Birla, BJP MP from Kota-Bundi, was elected by voice vote as the Lok Sabha Speaker for the second consecutive time. With this win, Birla became the first BJP leader to serve the coveted position for the second consecutive time. PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi took him to the chair and congratulated him after Birla assumed the post.
