Reaching out to the opposition on the first day of the monsoon session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said they need not "bother about their numbers" as their every word is "valuable" to the government.
He urged all MPs to be impartial in the House and address issues related to the larger interest of the nation.
Addressing the media outside parliament before the commencement of the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha, Modi said, "When we come to Parliament, we should forget 'paksh' (treasury) and 'vipaksh' (opposition). We should think about issues with a 'nishpaksh' (impartial) spirit and work in the larger interest of the nation."
Underlining the importance of an active opposition in a parliamentary democracy, Modi said he hopes the opposition "will speak actively and participate in House proceedings... I am hopeful that this session will be productive."
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