Oppn finds lost voice

Constitution debate reignites as Modi and Shah take oath; NEET shouts mar Pradhan oath; UP ke ladke add to the din in the House

- Gaurav Vivek

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha began on Monday with the newly elected members, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his council of ministers and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, taking oath as MPs. While the first day is usually ceremonious, the enlarged and resurgent Opposition showed through its mild protests and taunts that it would be unsparing in this eight-day session and beyond.

Those leading the charge were 'UP ke ladke' -- Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav -- who were sitting in the front row of the Lower House. Keeping Akhilesh Yadav company was Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad who won the plum Faizabad/Ayodhya seat and Trinamool Congress's Sudip Bandyopadhyay, which indicates the closing of ranks in the House.

The Opposition members, including Gandhi, taunted the ruling dispensation by displaying copies of the Constitution as Modi took oath. Many Congress MPs also took oath with the copy of Constitution in their hands, a grim reminder to the BJP of the electoral rhetoric.