Guwahati: At least 20 opposition parties have announced a boycott of the ceremony to unveil the new Parliament building, arguing that the inauguration by PM Narendra Modi on May 28 and “completely sidelining” President Droupadi Murmu constitutes a ‘grave insult and direct assault on democracy’.

As per sources, PM Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will dedicate to the nation the new Parliament building on May 28.

On Wednesday, in a joint statement, a bloc of 19 parties led by Congress said ignoring Murmu from the ‘momentous occasion … undermines the spirit of inclusion which saw the nation celebrate its first woman Adivasi President’.

The 20 opposition parties who will now boycott the inauguration are – Congress, AIUDF, DMK, Aam Aadmi Party, Shiv Sena (UBT), Samajwadi Party, TMC, Janta Dal (United), Nationalist Congress Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), RJD, Indian Union Muslim League, National Conference, Communist Party of India, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Kerala Congress (Mani), Vidhuthalai Chirunthaigal Katchi, Rashtriya Lok Dal, Revolutionary, Socialist Party and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

The joint statement of the 19 parties said Article 79 of the Constitution clearly states that Parliament shall consist of the President and the two Houses, which makes the President not only the head of the state but also “an integral part of Parliament”.

It further accused the PM of repeated ‘undemocratic acts’, including disqualification of opposition MPs and passage of bills without debate.

“When the soul of democracy has been sucked out from Parliament, we find no value in a new building,” the statement said.

Reacting to the call by the Opposition, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) said that the move to boycott the inauguration of the Parliament building is not merely disrespectful but is a blatant affront to the democratic ethos and constitutional values of the country.

The government termed the boycott to be “another feather in their cap of disregard for democratic processes.”

The NDA further criticized the opposition parties for coming together to boycott the event stating, “Their unity is marked not by a shared vision for national development, but by a shared practice of vote bank politics and a propensity for corruption. Such parties can never hope to fulfil the aspirations of the Indian people.”

Meanwhile, AIUDF MLA and party General Secretary Rafiqul Islam said, “We will not take part in the inaugural programme of the new Parliament building if the President of India will not be invited.”
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to inaugurate the Parliament building without President Droupadi Murmu, saying it is an “insult to the country’s highest constitutional post”.

In a tweet, Rahul Gandhi said, “Not getting the President to inaugurate the Parliament nor invite her to the ceremony is an insult to the country’s highest constitutional post. Parliament is not made of bricks of ego but of constitutional values.”

The opposition parties said that Article 79 of the Constitution states that there shall be a Parliament for the Union which shall consist of the President and two Houses to be known respectively as the Council of States and the House of the People.

“The President is not only the Head of State in India but also an integral part of the Parliament. She summons, prorogues, and addresses the Parliament. She must assent for an Act of Parliament to take effect. In short, the Parliament cannot function without the President. Yet, the Prime Minister has decided to inaugurate the new Parliament building without her. This undignified act insults the high office of the President and violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution. It undermines the spirit of inclusion which saw the nation celebrate its first woman Adivasi President,” the statement said.

The statement alleged that the ruling party at the Centre has sought to suppress the voice of opposition parties in Parliament.

President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar are likely to release congratulatory messages on the occasion of the inauguration of the new Parliament building on May 28, sources said.
On December 10, 2020, PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the new Parliament Building.