First session of 18th Lok Sabha: This is a glorious day in Parliamentary democracy, says Indian PM Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (June 24) spoke with the media ahead of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha. Prime Minister Modi called it a "glorious day in Parliamentary democracy," adding, that for the first time after independence, a swearing-in ceremony is taking place at the new Parliament building.

"It used to happen in the Old Parliament building. On this significant day, I extend a hearty welcome to all newly-elected MPs, extend them greetings and best wishes," Modi said.

Talking about the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections in which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) emerged victorious, Modi said, "This election has also become very important because, for the second time after independence, the people of the country have given an opportunity to a government to serve for the third consecutive time..."

'We will work three times harder in this tenure...'

With the NDA winning the Lok Sabha elections, Modi assured citizens that in the third tenure,his government would work three times harder and get three times the results.

"The people of the country have given us an opportunity for the third time. This is a great victory, a grand victory. Our responsibility increased threefold...," the prime minister further said.

'India wants responsible opposition'

The prime minister further pointed out that the country wants a responsible opposition. "People want substance, not slogans, they want debate, diligence not disturbance in Parliament," he said.

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha has commenced, and the swearing-in ceremony ofnewly-elected MPs is taking place.The session isexpected to be stormy as the opposition is likely to corner the BJP-led NDA government on the election of the speaker on Wednesday,discussions regarding allegations of paper leaks in NEET-UG and UGC-NET, and row over the appointment of the Pro-tem speaker.