Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Photo/PIB)
New Delhi: In a significant move that highlights growing political tensions in India, the Congress party along with 18 other opposition parties have decided to boycott the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building.
The new Parliament building is set to be inaugurated on May 28, 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
The parties, including DMK, Aam Aadmi Party, Shiv Sena, and TMC, have accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of sidelining President Droupadi Murmu during the inauguration ceremony and insulting the high office of the President.
These parties say that since the President is not only Head of the State in India but also an integral part of the Parliament therefore President Droupadi Murmu should inaugurate the New Parliament Building.
They say that Prime Minister Modi’s decision to inaugurate the New Parliament Building is a “direct assault on our democracy”.
Expressing their determination to fight against what they perceive as an authoritarian government, the opposition parties have vowed to take their message directly to the people.
“When the soul of democracy has been sucked out from the Parliament, we find no value in a new building. We announce our collective decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building. We will continue to fight — in letter, in spirit, and in substance — against this authoritarian Prime Minister and his government, and take our message directly to the people of India,” the opposition parties said in a joint statement.
The Joint Statement has been issued by Indian National Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Aam Aadmi Party, Shiv Sena (UBT), Samajwadi Party, Communist Party of India, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Kerala Congress (Mani), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Rashtriya Lok Dal, Trinamool Congress, Janata Dal (United), Nationalist Congress Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Rashtriya Janata Dal, Indian Union Muslim League, National Conference, Revolutionary Socialist Party, and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
It’s notable that the new Parliament building, constructed during the pandemic, has also been criticized by the opposition parties for its cost and lack of consultation with the people and MPs. (PW Desk)
