Leading INDIA bloc, 'UP Ke Ladke' - Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav Sit In Front Row Of Lok Sabha

The inaugural day of the first Parliament session after the 2024 Lok Sabha election results was marked by a display of political camaraderie, particularly from the Opposition.

The Opposition MPs, invigorated by their strong showing in the general elections, waved copies of the Constitution as Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the oath as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha.

Photo Credit: Screengrab: Sansad TV

Prominent among the Opposition leaders were 'UP ke ladke' - Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who were seated in the front row of the Lower House.

Rahul Gandhi, now a central figure of the Opposition INDIA bloc, appeared content in his new role, a contrast to his previous position in the second row during the last Parliament session.

Joining Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav in the front row were Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad and Trinamool Congress's Sudip Bandyopadhyay, reported India Today. Akhilesh Yadav paid special attention to Awadhesh Prasad, celebrating his victory in the significant Faizabad seat, where the Ayodhya Ram Mandir is situated.

Upon entering Parliament, Akhilesh was seen with his wife Dimple Yadav and uncle Ram Gopal Yadav, accompanied by all Samajwadi Party MPs. He made it a point to bring Awadhesh Prasad to the front and kept him close during a meeting with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi.

The INDIA bloc, comprising 233 MPs in the Lok Sabha, stood united as they faced the BJP-led NDA alliance, which holds 293 MPs.

The Opposition's spirited gesture extended to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was also greeted with waving copies of the Constitution. Besides this, chants of "NEET, NEET" were directed at Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as he took his oath.