Focus on performance

New Lok Sabha must follow the basics

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, which begins today, presents a fresh opportunity to address the evident weaknesses in the functioning of the Indian Parliament. The new Lok Sabha is considerably different from the previous two, where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had a majority of its own. Although the BJP-led Union government is comfortably placed at the moment, it depends on support from allies in the National Democratic Alliance for survival and pushing its legislative agenda. Further, the Opposition has a significantly bigger number this time. If it manages to hold on to