“We want to begin 18th Lok Sabha on positive note, members should work jointly as Team India: Kiren Rijiju

New Delhi [India], June 14 (ANI): With the first session of the new Lok Sabha scheduled to start on June 24, Parliamentary Ministry Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has said that the government wants to begin the 18th Lok Sabha on a positive note and sought the cooperation of all members of Parliament for smooth running of the Parliament.

Rijiju told ANI that the country wants to see a vibrant democracy through a very sound debate and discussion in the Parliament and the government will work with the opposition parties.

He urged all political parties to jointly work together as Team India

The minister said the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will see oath by members, election of Speaker and address of President Droupadi Murmu to the joint sitting of two Houses of Parliament.

“We want to begin the 18th Lok Sabha on a positive note. The first session which is the special session of the 18th Lok Sabha has been decided and President Murmu has summoned to begin the House on June 24. Now what is important is the first session is customary to have the oath for the newly elected members and the election of the Speaker of Lok Sabha and then the President’s address to both Houses of Parliament,” he said.

“It is going to be very important for all of us that after the elections, we are coming together for the first time, my appeal to all the members, all the political parties is to jointly work together as Team India, we have to work for our country,” he added.

Rijiju said he will work with the guidance of the Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman and both the government and opposition have important roles.

“For me, as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, I will have to coordinate with all the political parties, the floor management and with the guidance of the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and speaker of Lok Sabha and with the guidance of the Prime Minister, we will work very cohesively in a coordinated manner,” he said.

“For me, there is no difference between Opposition parties and the ruling party, we are there to serve the nation. NDA has been given the mandate to run the country’s affairs and the opposition bloc has been given the mandate to work and perform as Opposition parties. So we have equally important roles. We will work together. The country wants to see a vibrant democracy through a very sound debate and discussion in the Parliament,” he added.

The minister said he is looking forward positively to the cooperation from all the members.

Responding to the remarks by some opposition leaders pertaining to the stability of the BJP-NDA government, Rijiju said if such remarks are being made,it is wrong.

“This is the country’s largest panchayat. Parliament is for everyone and everybody plays an important role in running the house. One party cannot work alone in Parliament. Debate and discussions are the core values on which democracy thrives. The best debates and discussions result in fruitful decisions,” he said.

He said the government follows PM Modi’s mantra of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’.

Rajya Sabha will commence its session on June 27.