Parliament Session 2019 Highlights: Congress president Rahul Gandhi takes oath as Lok Sabha Member
The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha will begin on Monday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday pitching for consensus among all political parties to push crucial legislations, including a bill that seeks to criminalise the practice of instant divorce among Muslims.Addressing an all-party meeting about a month after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured an impressive mandate in this summer’s general election, Modi told floor leaders of various political parties to keep their differences aside to avoid disruptions in proceedings.Follow highlights here:
I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India: Rahul Gandhi

My 4th consecutive term as a Member of the Lok Sabha begins today. Representing Wayanad, Kerala, I begin my new innings in Parliament by taking my oath this afternoon, affirming that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India: Rahul Gandhi.
1:57 pm ISTMy 4th consecutive term as a Member of the #LokSabha begins today. Representing Wayanad, Kerala, I begin my new innings in Parliament by taking my oath this afternoon, affirming that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India 🇮🇳
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 17, 2019
Samajwadi Party MPs Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav and Azam Khan in Parliament on the first day of the session of 17th Lok Sabha
Delhi: Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav and Azam Khan in Parliament on the first day of the session of 17th Lok Sabha.
1:25 pm ISTDelhi: Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav and Azam Khan in Parliament on the first day of the session of 17th Lok Sabha. pic.twitter.com/jAV1MtmCNC
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2019
Smriti Irani receives longest applause while taking oath as Lok Sabha member
Union Minister Smriti Irani, who defeated Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, received the longest applause when she took oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha on Monday.
As soon as she was called for oath taking, ruling BJP members, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, other union ministers and MPs were seen enthusiastically thumping the desk for a long time, reports news agency PTI.
12:54 pm ISTBJP Parliamentary board likely to meet later today
Delhi: BJP Parliamentary board likely to meet later today
12:45 pm ISTCongress MP from Kerala takes oath in Hindi
Congress MP from Kerala, Kodikunnil Suresh, surprised everyone on Monday by taking oath in Hindi as a member of the 17th Lok Sabha.
The Kerala MP’s move was welcomed by the House with loud thumping of desks.
Suresh was the second member to take oath after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The oath was administered by pro tem Speaker Virendra Singh, reports news agency IANS.
12:40 pm ISTSonia Gandhi to wait her turn this time
Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, will take oath along with other lawmakers from Uttar Pradesh. In 2014, the Lok Sabha secretariat had made an exception for the former Congress president. She and BJP patriarch LK Advani had taken oath right after the ministers to reflect their seniority. This time, the secretariat did not extend the special gesture to Sonia Gandhi. After Union Ministers take oath, newly-elected MPs are called to take oath in the alphabetical order of the states they were elected from. Within a state, too, the MPs are called in an alphabetical order of their names.
12:38 pm ISTUnion Budget will be presented on July 5
The Union Budget will be presented on July 5.
The fresh bill to ban instant triple talaq will be introduced in Parliament to replace an ordinance issued in February. Under the proposed law, instant triple talaq will be illegal and attract a jail term of three years. The previous bill lapsed as it was passed in the Lower House but could not be cleared in the Rajya Sabha.
12:17 pm ISTMadhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and his son Nakul Nath at the Parliament. Nakul Nath has been elected as MP from Chhindwara
Delhi: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and his son Nakul Nath at the Parliament. Nakul Nath has been elected as MP from Chhindwara.
12:01 pm ISTDelhi: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath & his son Nakul Nath at the Parliament. Nakul Nath has been elected as MP from Chhindwara. pic.twitter.com/bRwMUF9xF4
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2019
The session will see tabling of triple talaq bill and a legislation to allow the voluntary use of Aadhaar
The session, which will conclude on July 26, will see the tabling of the triple talaq bill and a legislation to allow the voluntary use of Aadhaar as an identity proof for opening bank accounts and getting mobile phone connections.
11:42 am ISTUnion Ministers and BJP MPs Dr Harsh Vardhan and Dr Jitendra Singh took oath in Sanskrit and Dogri, respectively, as members of 17th Lok Sabha
Delhi: Union Ministers and BJP MPs Dr Harsh Vardhan and Dr Jitendra Singh took oath in Sanskrit and Dogri, respectively, as members of 17th Lok Sabha.
11:34 am ISTDelhi: Union Ministers and BJP MPs Dr Harsh Vardhan and Dr Jitendra Singh took oath in Sanskrit and Dogri, respectively, as members of 17th Lok Sabha. pic.twitter.com/Rrx1OpzYq8
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2019
BJP MP from Bihar’s Madhubani, Dr. Ashok Kumar Yadav arrives at the Parliament wearing a stole and a cap with traditional Madhubani art
Delhi: BJP MP from Bihar’s Madhubani, Dr. Ashok Kumar Yadav arrives at the Parliament wearing a stole and a cap with traditional Madhubani art.
11:33 am ISTDelhi: BJP MP from Bihar's Madhubani, Dr. Ashok Kumar Yadav arrives at the Parliament wearing a stole and a cap with traditional Madhubani art pic.twitter.com/w8oZ4dhg4S
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2019
Sunny Deol, Tejasvi Surya and Ravi Kishan arrive at the Parliament, to take oath as member of th 17th Lok Sabha
Delhi: BJP MPs Sunny Deol, Tejasvi Surya and Ravi Kishan arrive at the Parliament, to take oath as member of th 17th Lok Sabha.
11:31 am ISTDelhi: BJP MPs Sunny Deol, Tejasvi Surya and Ravi Kishan arrive at the Parliament, to take oath as member of th 17th Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/1HeXigKKbe
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2019
It’s a great institution which has shaped country’s past, present and future: Tejasvi Surya
Tejasvi Surya,BJP MP at Parliament: It’s a great institution which has shaped country’s past, present and future. I am entering it with lot of gratitude for people who have elected me and also with sense of idealism to ensure Bharat Mata reaches pinnacle of glory which it’s destined to do.
11:26 am ISTTejasvi Surya,BJP MP at Parliament: It's a great institution which has shaped country's past, present & future. I'm entering it with lot of gratitude for people who've elected me&also with sense of idealism to ensure Bharat Mata reaches pinnacle of glory which it's destined to do pic.twitter.com/0pWIa7AaPx
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2019
BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi, Smriti Zubin Irani takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha
BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi, Smriti Zubin Irani takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha.
11:24 am ISTUnion Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal MP from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha
Delhi: Union Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal MP from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha.
11:18 am ISTUnion Minister and BJP MP Nitin Gadkari takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha
Delhi: Union Minister and BJP MP Nitin Gadkari takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha.
11:16 am ISTBJP president and Home Minister Amit Shah takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha
Delhi: BJP President and Home Minister Amit Shah takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha.
11:15 am ISTDelhi: BJP President and Home Minister Amit Shah takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha. pic.twitter.com/zL5yKYdYCu
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2019
BJP MP and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha
Delhi: BJP MP and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha.
11:15 am ISTCongress’ Kerala MP Suresh Kodikunnil takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha
Delhi: Congress’ Kerala MP Suresh Kodikunnil takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha.
11:08 am ISTDelhi: Congress’ Kerala MP Suresh Kodikunnil takes oath as member of the 17th Lok Sabha. pic.twitter.com/sPtter3DO4
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2019
First session of 17th Lok Sabha commences; Newly elected MPs take oath
First session of 17th Lok Sabha commences; Newly elected MPs take oath.
11:05 am ISTPM Modi takes oath at inaugural session of 17th Lok Sabha
PM Modi takes oath at inaugural session of 17th Lok Sabha.
11:04 am ISTNew Parliament session begins
New Parliament session begins.
10:50 am ISTWe should work in larger interest of nation: PM Modi
In Parliament, we should forget ‘Paksh’, ‘Vipaksh’ and think about issues with ‘nishpaksh spirit’, work in larger interest of nation: PM Modi.
10:48 am ISTOpposition need not bother about their numbers: PM Modi
Opposition need not bother about their numbers, I hope they speak actively and participate in House proceedings: PM Modi
10:41 am ISTNew friends will join today and they will bring new energy: PM Modi
We are working to fulfill people’s aspirations. New friends will join today and they will bring new energy. We value the Opposition and their role. The Opposition should play an active role in the Parliament: PM Modi
10:39 am ISTRequest all parties to support the decisions that are in favour of people: PM Modi
PM Modi at the Parliament for the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha: After several decades, a government has won absolute majority for the second term. People have given us the chance to serve the country again. I request all the parties to support the decisions that are in favour of people.
10:35 am ISTThere are new hopes and dreams with the beginning of this session: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Parliament: Today, a new session is starting, there are new hopes and dreams with the beginning of this session. Since independence ,this Lok Sabha elections saw highest number of women voters and women MPs.
10:34 am ISTPrime Minister Narendra Modi at the Parliament: Today, a new session is starting, there are new hopes and dreams with the beginning of this session. Since independence ,this Lok Sabha elections saw highest number of women voters and women MPs. pic.twitter.com/YGGGDInX99
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2019
‘Proactive opposition key to democracy’, says PM Modi ahead of new Parliament session
Proactive opposition key to democracy. Opposition need not bother about their numbers. I hope they will speak actively and participate in house proceedings, says PM Modi ahead of new Parliament session.
10:30 am ISTInaugural session of 17th Lok Sabha will start with swearing of its members
The inaugural session of the 17th Lok Sabha will start on Monday with the swearing in of its members. After getting elected to the House, members have to take the oath before any other business, including the election of the Speaker, takes place.
10:20 am ISTBJP MP Virendra Kumar takes oath as protem speaker of 17th Lok Sabha
Delhi: BJP MP Virendra Kumar takes oath as the protem speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha, at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
10:20 am ISTDelhi: BJP MP Virendra Kumar takes oath as the Protem Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha, at Rashtrapati Bhawan. pic.twitter.com/74wzfKf9uw
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2019
PM Modi to be first to take oath at inaugural session of 17th Lok Sabha
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the first to take oath in the new Lok Sabha on Monday while United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi might get a special slot to do so over the two-day-long swearing-in ceremony, officials said on Sunday.
10:10 am ISTRequest ruling and opposition parties to make effort to find solutions: Thawar Chand Gehlot
Thawar Chand Gehlot, leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha ahead of parliament session of 17th Lok Sabha today: I would request ruling party as well as opposition parties that any problem can be resolved through discussions. So, during the session, parties should make an effort to find solutions.
10:00 am ISTThawar Chand Gehlot, leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha ahead of parliament session of 17th LS today: I would request ruling party as well as opposition parties that any problem can be resolved through discussions. So, during the session, parties should make an effort to find solutions pic.twitter.com/FcWZOmXNdQ
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2019
First session of 17th Lok Sabha will begin today
The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha will begin today.
Delhi: The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha will begin today; Union Budget to be tabled on 5th July in this session of Parliament. pic.twitter.com/BMHOu656hB
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2019