Trinamool Congress, CPI to boycott inauguration of new Parliament building; Opposition likely to follow suit

New Delhi: Amidst the opposition’s demand that the new Parliament building should be inaugurated by the President and not the Prime Minister, leaders of several political parties have decided to boycott the ceremony on 28 May. Sources said leaders of like-minded opposition parties held discussions. A joint statement on this issue and by all the floor leaders will be issued soon, announcing a joint boycott of the event.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) said they would not attend the inauguration. Sources said a final decision would be taken on Wednesday after formal invitations are received by the parties. “Parliament is not just a new building; it is an establishment with age-old traditions, values, precedents and rules – it is the foundation of Indian democracy. Prime Minister Modi doesn’t get that. For him, Sunday’s inauguration of the new building in the Rajya Sabha In TMC leader Derek O’Brien wrote on Twitter, “It’s all about me, me, myself. So count us in.”

CPI general secretary D Raja also said that his party would not attend the function. As soon as the MPs started receiving soft copies of the invitation, they huddled together to discuss the issue. Opposition sources indicated that most parties were of the view that they should unite and skip the ceremony, but a final decision on the issue would be taken on Wednesday.

Opposition parties have objected to Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the new Parliament building and said that President Draupadi Murmu should do the honor instead. “A question to the government – why are you insulting the President who is a woman from a humble background? Is it because she comes from a humble background? The President is the first citizen of the country and why are you not getting it? ” The new building of Parliament, which is called the Pillar of Democracy, was inaugurated by him?…It is because you want your name to be inscribed on its stones. You want to insult a woman and a tribal because there is no election here. The state she comes from,” said Congress spokesperson Gaurav Vallabh.

“Whether we will boycott or participate, we will take a decision at the right time,” he said. Opposition parties had boycotted the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the building by Modi in December 2020, citing concerns about its timing amid farmer protests, the economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown.

It is understood that the grand opening of the new building will be accompanied by chanting, havan and puja. The rituals will begin in the morning and the main event is to be held in the afternoon. Apart from Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will also be present at the inauguration ceremony. The invitation card for the event states that the function will begin in the afternoon and the invitees are requested to take their seats by 11.30 am.