Reaching out to the opposition on the first day of themonsoon session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said they need not”bother about their numbers” as their every word is”valuable” to the government.
He urged all MPs to be impartial in the House and addressissues related to the larger interest of the nation.
Addressing the media outside parliament before thecommencement of the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha, Modi said, “Whenwe come to Parliament, we should forget ‘paksh’ (treasury) and ‘vipaksh'(opposition). We should think about issues with a ‘nishpaksh’ (impartial)spirit and work in the larger interest of the nation.”
Underlining the importance of an active opposition in a parliamentarydemocracy, Modi said he hopes the opposition “will speak actively andparticipate in House proceedings… I am hopeful that this session will beproductive.”
“The role of an opposition and an active opposition isimportant perquisite in a parliamentary democracy. The opposition need notbother about their numbers. I hope they speak actively and participate in Houseproceedings…their every word…every feeling is valuable to us,” hesaid.
Talking about the newly constituted Lok Sabha, Modi said itis historic in various terms as maximum number of women MPs have been electedto the lower house since the Independence.
Modi said as this is the first session with new members,there will be a flow of new energy and a new enthusiasm will be reflected inthe House to realise the aspirations of the people.
The prime minister said his government worked on theprincipal of ‘sabka sath, sabka vikas’ (with all, development for all) duringhis first tem and people reposed their faith in it for a second time. As aresult, a government has been reelected with a clear majority after severaldecades.