Prime Minister hopes for "new beginning"

New Delhi, June 1 (ANI): As the first session of 15th Lok Sabha starts today, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has expressed the hope of a "new beginning" and that Parliament would be allowed to run smoothly.

Talking to reporters before entering Parliament, Dr. Singh said, "I sincerely hope we will make a new beginning and that Parliament will be allowed to run smoothly. The dialogue, discussion, and reason will prevail in our proceedings. We will give all due respect to the opposition in discharging their responsibility."

He was received by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan and Minister of State, Planning and Parliamentary Affairs V Narayansamy.

Sonia Gandhi took oath as the member of Parliament, Pranab Mukherjee as the leader of the ruling coalition in Lok Sabha and Advani as the leader of the Opposition in the lower house.

The first session will witness the Congress-led United Progress Alliance Government unveiling its plan of action.

Lok Sabha will have seven sittings while the Rajya Sabha would commence its session from June 4.

The President Pratibha Devisingh Patil would address a joint session of parliamentar on June 4, which would indicate the road map of the second term of the Manmohan Singh Government.

Senior most Lok Sabha member Manikrao Gavit of Congress has been appointed Protem Speaker by President Pratibha Patil.

Gavit (75) will perform the duties of the Speaker till the election of a new Speaker on June 3.

Parliament will convene towards end of June for a longer session when the new government will present the full budget for 2009-10.

After the President's address, the House would discuss and pass the motion of thanks to the President.

The session would conclude on June 9. (ANI)