Amid calls for boycott by several opposition parties, YSRCP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, BSP, BJD and other parties have confirmed that they will attend the inauguration of the new Parliament building and will not join the group of parties opposing it. LJP (Paswan), RPI, AIADMK and TDP have also confirmed their support. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has also said that it will attend the event and is proud of the new Parliament building.
SAD leader Daljit said, “The inauguration of the new parliament building is a matter of pride for the country, so we have decided that the SAD party will attend the inauguration ceremony on May 28. We do not agree with the issues raised by the opposition parties.”
The newly constructed Parliament House is to be inaugurated on Sunday (May 28) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate it. The opposition has been questioning the authority with which PM Modi will inaugurate the building and demanded that the President should do so instead.
While several parties criticized the government over the issue, many have now decided to skip Sunday’s event. Announcing its decision, the RJD tweeted, “RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) will boycott the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament House in Delhi on May 28.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, meanwhile, said that his party would also join the opposition in boycotting the inauguration ceremony. He told ANI, “All opposition parties have decided to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building on May 28 and we will do the same.” JDU will also not participate in the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament House.
The party spokesperson said, “What is the justification for building a new parliament building? You do not have any sense of respect for the legacy of your forefathers. Money was wasted. That too at a time when inflation and unemployment are at its peak. Nitish Kumar is the third generation leader.” Reservation in government jobs is being given to freedom fighters, the central government has not given it.”
Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) has also decided to stay away from the inauguration of the new Parliament building on Sunday. Meanwhile, the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) also said that it will boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building, reported ANI citing party MP Tiruchi Siva. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) spokesperson on Wednesday said the party will not even attend the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building and has decided to stand with other like-minded opposition parties on the issue.
BRS MP K Keshav Rao said his party is also unlikely to attend the event. “We haven’t taken a decision yet, we have to take a decision now. It is unlikely to attend, but we will announce our decision tomorrow,” he said.
The AAP, embroiled in a tussle with the Center over control of administrative services in Delhi, on Tuesday issued a statement saying it will boycott the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building. The AAP said, “The AAP has taken this decision in view of the questions being raised over the matter of not inviting the President to the inauguration ceremony.”
TMC, on the other hand, has decided not to attend as they believe the event will be “about me, me and me”. CPI General Secretary D Raja has also said that his party will not attend the function.