New Lok Sabha throws in contrasts

The Prime Minister shook hands with Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, who was heard congratulating Modi.

The seating arrangement also reflected the change of guard at the Centre as BJP has secured a majority on its own in the 16th Lok Sabha, a feat achieved by any party for the first time after 1984.

BJP patriarch Advani was seated next to Modi being Chairman of the BJP Parliamentary Party.

The front bench next to them was occupied by five leaders Murli Manohar Joshi, Ram Vilas Paswan (LJP chief), M Venkaiah Naidu, Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh. Nitin Gadkari, a former BJP chief, was sitting in the second row.

In the Opposition benches, the first row was occupied by Leader of the Congress party in the House Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, M Veerappa Moily and K H Muniyappa.