Assam Minister and president of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Atul Bora, has criticized the ‘undemocratic attitude’ of the opposition for announcing a boycott of the new parliament building and has appealed to all political parties to participate in the inauguration ceremony on May 28.
“This is a completely undemocratic attitude by the opposition. It is nothing but petty politics. I urge all political parties to partake in the inaugural ceremony,” Atul Bora said.
The AGP is an ally of the BJP-led coalition government in Assam. Opposition parties have accused the government of ‘sidelining’ President Draupadi Murmu and have described the inauguration of the new parliament building by the Prime Minister as a ‘grave insult’ and a ‘direct assault’ on democracy.
In response, the BJP has accused the opposition parties of ‘disregarding’ democracy.
Meanwhile, the Centre has received a confirmed list of 25 political parties, including some that are not part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), who will participate in the inauguration ceremony of the new parliament building on May 28.
Alongside the BJP, several parties in the NDA, including AIADMK, Apna Dal, the Republican Party of India, the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena, NPP, NPF, Biju Janata Dal, TDP, and YSRCP, will be attending the function on May 28.
The 21 opposition parties who are boycotting the inauguration are Congress, AIUDF, DMK, Aam Aadmi Party, Shiv Sena (UBT), Samajwadi Party, TMC, Janata 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), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Rashtriya Lok Dal, Revolutionary Socialist Party, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and AIMIM.
PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the new parliament building on December 10, 2020. It has been constructed in record time with a focus on quality.
The current parliament building has provisions for accommodating 543 members in the Lok Sabha and 250 in the Rajya Sabha. The newly constructed building of the Parliament has been designed to cater to future requirements, with arrangements made for a gathering of 888 members in the Lok Sabha and 384 members in the Rajya Sabha. The joint session of both Houses will be held in the Lok Sabha chamber.
