New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the beginning of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, said that while a "majority" is required to run the government, "consensus is very important" to run the country. 

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Speaking to the reporters outside newly built parliament building in New Delhi, PM Modi said, "In the last 10 years, we have constantly tried to establish a tradition because we believe that [a] majority is required to run the government but consensus is very important to run the country. Therefore, our constant endeavour will be to serve mother India with everyone’s consent and by taking everyone along to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of 140 crore (1.4 bn) countrymen."

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The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's tally is below the majority mark of 272 and it requires the consistent support of its National Democratic Alliance partners to be in the power. This is the first time that Prime Minister Modi is heading a coalition government. 

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"Today is a day of pride in parliamentary democracy, it is a day of glory. For the first time after Independence, this oath is being taken in our new parliament, till now this process used to happen in the old Parliament," Modi said.

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"For the second time after Independence, a government has got the opportunity to serve the country for the third time in a row, this opportunity has come after 60 years which is a matter of pride," PM Modi said.

"If the citizens of our country have trusted a government for the third consecutive time, it means they have given a stamp of approval to the policies and intent of the government," he added.

The prime minister also took a dig at the Opposition and said, "The people of the country do not want drama, ruckus. The country does not want slogans, it wants substance. The country needs a good Opposition, a responsible Opposition."

"Parliament sessions are an opportunity for us to realise the dreams of Indian citizens. It is an opportunity for us to build Shreshtha Bharat and achieve our goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047," he further said.

Referring to the state of Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, Modi said,

"Tomorrow is 25 June, 50 years ago on this day a black spot was put on the Constitution. We will try [to ensure] that such a stain never comes to the country."

Responding to the Prime Minister’s speech, Congress chief Mallikarun Kharge wrote on X, "You are reminding us of the 50-year-old Emergency, but have forgotten the last 10 years of Undeclared Emergency, which was ended by the people."

"People have given their mandate against Modi ji. Despite this, if he has become the Prime Minister, then he should work," Kharge said.

"People need substance, not slogans’ – remember this yourself. The opposition and INDIA Janbandhan want Consensus in Parliament, we will keep raising the voice of the people in the House, on the streets and before everyone," he added.

"He (PM Modi) will show some sympathy towards the youth regarding the paper leak in NEET and other recruitment examinations, but he did not take any responsibility for the massive rigging and corruption of his government," the Congress president further said.