The mood of the house was subdued due to death of rural development minister Gopinath Munde in a road accident Tuesday. However, there was also a sense of anticipation and expectation.
The 16th Lok Sabha has 315 first-time MPs in a house of 543 elected MPs, the highest for any house in the last 30 years, according to data compiled by PRS Legislative, a research body that tracks the working of parliament.
The new house also reflected the new reality -- of BJP and NDA's ascendance and Congress decimation in the polls. With only 44 members, the Congress strength is less than a fourth of its numbers in the last house.
As the proceedings began, BJP members appeared to be present in full strength but there were a few empty seats on the opposition benches.
The visitors' gallery had only a few occupants as oath-taking of new members had been deferred by a day due to the death of rural development minister and BJP leader Gopinath Munde in a car accident Tuesday. BJP members felt an acute sense of loss over Munde's demise but also had a sense of elation over the party's first-ever full majority in the Lok Sabha.
