‘Unfortunate’: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Blocks Opposition From Opening Parliament

New Delhi: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday termed as “unfortunate” the decision by 19 opposition parties to boycott the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament House and urged them to reconsider their stand. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to inaugurate the new Parliament House on Sunday.

“Boycotting and making an issue out of a non-issue is most unfortunate. I appeal to them to reconsider their decision and attend the event,” Joshi told reporters here on the sidelines of a national workshop on National e-Vidhan Application. “

Joshi said the Lok Sabha Speaker is the custodian of Parliament and has invited the Prime Minister to inaugurate the building.

Opposition parties argue that respect should be given to President Draupadi Murmu as she was not only the head of state but also an integral part of the Parliament as she convenes, prorogues and addresses it.

In a joint statement, they said the opening of Parliament House is an important occasion, but that despite our belief that the government is putting democracy at risk, and our disapproval of the “autocratic manner” of the new Parliament, we are not ready to drown. Ready were our differences and to mark the occasion.

Opposition parties said, “However, Prime Minister Modi’s decision to personally inaugurate the new Parliament House, completely bypassing President Murmu, is not only a blatant insult, but a direct attack on our democracy, which demands a befitting response.” ”

Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, Janata Dal (United), AAP, CPI-M, CPI, SP, NCP, SS (UBT), RJD, IUML, JMM, NC, KC (M), RSP, VCK, MDMK, RLD are signatories to the joint statement.

Modi will inaugurate the new Parliament House on May 28 at the invitation of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Opposition parties noted that the President is not only the head of state in India, but is also an integral part of the Parliament as he summons, prorogates and addresses the Parliament.

“In short, Parliament cannot function without the President. Yet, the Prime Minister has decided to inaugurate the new Parliament House without him. This unbecoming act insults the high office of the President, and violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution.” It violates the Constitution. It undermines the spirit of inclusion that saw the nation celebrate its first woman tribal president,” the parties said.

He said the new Parliament building has been built at great expense during a once-in-a-century pandemic, with no consultation with the people of India or the parliamentarians for whom it is apparently being built.

“When the soul of democracy has been sucked out of Parliament, we find no value in the new building. We announce our collective decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building.”

“We will continue to fight against this ‘authoritarian’ prime minister and his government – in letter, spirit, and substance – and will take our message directly to the people of India,” the opposition parties said in their joint statement. ,

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.