PM hopes for new beginning

New Delhi, June 1 (PTI) As new members assembled to take
oath on the opening day of the 15th Lok Sabha, Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh on Monday hoped a "new beginning" will be made
and Parliament will be allowed to run smoothly.

"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 and we
will give all due respect to the opposition in discharging
their responsibility," Singh told reporters before entering
Parliament.

Senior most Lok Sabha member Manikrao Gavit of Congress
appointed as Protem Speaker by President Pratibha Patil,
presided over the proceedings involving Members taking oath.

A nine-term Member of Parliament, 75-year-old Gavit will
perform the duties of the Speaker till the election of a new
Speaker on June 3.

Gavit was administered oath by the President at a brief
function at Rashtrapati Bhavan which was attended among others
by Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
and Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal.

Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee was the first to
take oath. He was followed by Leader of Opposition L K Advani.
PTI