Let's work together, PM tells Opposition

As the monsoon session of Parliament got underway, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to the opposition with a message – “let’s work together”.

Minutes before the Lok Sabha convened, Modi went around the House greeting members across party lines. Modi also greeted Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who was seen telling something to the prime minister. He had moved ahead but lingered on till the Gandhi had completed what she had to say.

Speaking to the media, Modi said he had got a sense that all political parties were in a mood to take “best of the decisions” that would put the country on forward on a fast track.

Modi recalled that on August 15, the country would celebrate its 70th Independence Day and made a strong pitch for “high quality debates” during the session.

“Hence, all of us should join hands together in Parliament to give a new impetus and direction to the country,” he said.

This was reflected in the Lok Sabha, where several new Union ministers, including Ananth Kumar and Ramdas Athawale, were seen greeting members on the opposition benches, particularly the Congress president.

Gandhi was also seen having a long chat with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, apparently inquiring about her well being. Swaraj was hospitalized recently for treatment of pneumonia.