After 19 opposition parties announced a boycott of the inauguration of the new Parliament building, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday said that it is a historical occasion and not the time for politics.
'Sengol' is a symbol of historic legacy, which was used by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on August 14, 1947, when the transfer of power took place from the British.
In a joint statement, the like-minded opposition parties said that Prime Minister's decision to inaugurate the building by himself is "a direct assault on our democracy, which demands a commensurate response
Amid the opposition's objection to Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the new Parliament building, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) announced a boycott of the ceremony slated to take place on May 28.
Amid the opposition's objection to Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the new Parliament building, three parties including Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress and Congress Party announced to boycott the ceremony slated to take place on May 28.
Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy on Thursday said that his party decided to boycott the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building scheduled to be on May 28, because the date coincides with the birth anniversary of "Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar".
"So that is why I'm here to listen on the ideas that India has to deliver within the CICA and I'm very satisfied that India has many thought-provoking things about how we can improve the relations within the CICA because the new role of Asia is well perceived by Indian authorities," he added
"Parliament is not just a new building; it is an establishment with old traditions, values, precedents and rules - it is the foundation of Indian democracy. PM Modi doesn't get that. For him, Sunday's inauguration of the new building is all about I, ME, MYSELF. So count us out," O'Brien twee
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who will dedicate to the nation the new Parliament building on May 28, are also likely to deliver a speech after the inauguration ceremony, sources said.