'Nation Wants Substance Not Slogans': PM Modi Slams Opposition Ahead of First Session

New Delhi: Ahead of the commencement of first session of 18th Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for the need of consensus in the Parliament, as he slammed the Opposition parties for disrupting the functions of the Parliament. The nation wants substance and not just slogans, said PM Modi in his first remark ahead of 18th Lok Sabha.

First session of the 18th Lok Sabha began on Monday, June 24, with the national anthem in the new Parliament building as Prime Minister Modi took oath for the third-time in a row. The Prime Minister in his address said that consensus is most important to run a country. “In the last 10 years, we have always tried to implement a tradition because we believe that a majority is required to run the government but to run the country a consensus is of utmost importance,” said PM Modi.

“So, it will be our constant efforts to serve Maa Bharti and fulfill the aspirations and ambitions of the 140 crore people, with everyone's consent and by taking everyone together. We want to go ahead and speed up decisions by taking everyone together, by maintaining the sanctity of the Constitution,” he added.

Hitting out at the opposition, PM Modi said that the country expects good steps from the Opposition instead of “drama” and “disturbance”. “The people of the country expect good steps from the opposition. I hope that the opposition will live up to the expectations of the common citizens of the country to maintain the dignity of democracy. People do not want drama, disturbance. People want substance, not slogans.” he said.

PM Modi said that the country needs a responsible opposition, as he congratulated the newly-elected MPs. "The country needs a good opposition, a responsible opposition and I have full faith that the MPs who have won in this 18th Lok Sabha will try to fulfill these expectations of the common man..." the Prime Minister said. The remarks come at a time when the NDA government has won a third straight term, however, BJP fell short of majority.