The 18th Lok Sabha witnessed a show of strength by Opposition members in Parliament as Prime Minister Narendra Modi took oath as a member, accompanied by Home Minister Amit Shah and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Opposition bloc members waved copies of the Constitution as a mark of protest, which added to the vibrant atmosphere in the House. During the oath-taking ceremony, Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Kalyan Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, and Awadhesh Prasad sat in the first row on the benches. Meanwhile, Congress members Kodikunnil Suresh, DMK’s T R Baalu, and Trinamool Congress member Sudip Bandyopadhyay walked out of the House in protest over the appointment of Mahtab as Pro-tem Speaker.
As the session commenced, the cavernous chamber of the Lower House was filled with excitement and warmth as members exchanged greetings and hugged each other. Among the early entrants was first-term lawmaker Bansuri Swaraj, who mingled with fellow members, taking photographs and exchanging pleasantries. TDP members, a key ally of the BJP, arrived sporting yellow scarves, while Samajwadi Party members wore red caps and pale-red gamchas. They waved copies of the Hindi version of the Constitution, symbolizing their commitment to upholding the country’s founding document.
Rahul Gandhi (Via Rahul Gandhi/Twitter)
Other notable members who attended the ceremony included actor-politicians Ravi Kishan, who wore traditional attire, and Kangana Ranaut, who wore a white saree. Arun Govil, the BJP member from Meerut who played the role of Lord Ram in Ramayan, was seen greeting fellow members as he goed on his political journey. Notably, former Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was seated in the third row during the ceremony.
As the oath-taking process concluded, the Opposition members raised the slogan “violation of Constitution” when the panel of chairpersons was sworn in. The controversy surrounding the entrance examinations and the controversy surrounding the appointment of Mahtab as Pro-tem Speaker added to the tense atmosphere in the House. Nevertheless, the warm welcome and show of strength by Opposition members signified their commitment to upholding democratic norms and traditions in the country.
