First session of 18th Lok Sabha begins; Opposition holds up mini version of Constitution during Modi's swearing-in

NEW DELHI: The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha has begun. Bhartruhari Mehtab, who took charge as the pro-tem speaker, reached the House at 11 am and started proceedings. Opposition MPs came to the Lok Sabha with a mini version of the Constitution. Swearing-in of MPs has started.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to take the oath. Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah took oath second and third respectively. The swearing-in of MPs will take place after the swearing-in of Union Ministers. When the Prime Minister arrived to take the oath, opposition MPs protested by holding up a mini version of the Constitution.

Members of the Opposition also booed when the panel of aides to the pro-tem speaker was read out. The opposition created a ruckus by shouting 'NEET, NEET' during the swearing-in of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Pro-tem Speaker announced that Rahul Gandhi's resignation from the Wayanad constituency has been accepted. The oath-taking of MPs from Kerala will begin at 4 pm. In the first session, the swearing-in of MPs will take place.

The Prime Minister spoke to the media before the commencement of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha. He said that he would constantly try to fulfil the aspirations of people by bringing everyone together. Modi added that we have taken a pledge to fulfil the dreams of the common man as per the Constitution of India. Prime Minister said that he wants to speed up decisions while preserving the sanctity of the Constitution.

Modi also blamed the Emergency period. He alleged that the Emergency was a stain on democracy. June 25 marks the 50th anniversary of the stain on democracy. The Prime Minister said that the new generation will never forget that time when the Constitution of India was completely rejected.