The inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created a major stir in Indian politics, with as many as 20 parties announcing that they will not attend the ceremony to be held on May 28.
In a joint statement, 19 political parties said that the “collective decision” to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building, was because PM Modi is inaugurating it himself, “completely sidelining” President Droupadi Murmu, which insults the high office of the President and violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution.
“The inauguration of a new Parliament building is a momentous occasion…Prime Minister Modi’s decision to inaugurate the new Parliament building by himself, completely sidelining President Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response,” the statement read.
Later, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also announced separately that the party will skip the inauguration as PM Modi would be inaugurating it.
Parties boycotting new Parliament building inauguration:
Congress
Trinamool Congress (TMC)
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)
Janata Dal (United)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Samajwadi Party (SP)
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)
Communist Party of India (CPI)
Indian Union Muslim League
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)
National Conference (NC)
Kerala Congress (Mani)
Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP)
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK)
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK)
Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD)
AIMIM
Meanwhile, several parties have also said that they will attend the ceremony. While parties within the National Democratic Alliance fold form a majority of the parties set to attend the event, there are others who have backed the government as well.
Ruling YSRCP president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy confirmed on Wednesday that his party will participate in the inauguration.
“In the true spirit of democracy, my party will attend this historic event,” tweeted Reddy, congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dedicating a grand, majestic and spacious Parliament building to the nation.
The Biju Janata Dal of Naveen Patnaik will also be present at the event. The Shiromani Akali Dal, which broke away from the NDA over its opposition to the now-repealed farm laws, also said it will be present at the inauguration.
Parties likely to attend new Parliament building inauguration:
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)
Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP)
Biju Janata Dal (BJD)
Telugu Desam Party (TDP)
Shiv Sena
National People’s Party (NPP)
Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP)
Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM)
Mizo National Front (MNF)
Jananayak Janata Party (JJP)
Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP)
Republican Party of India (Athawale)
Apna Dal (S)
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)
Tamil Maanila Congress
All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU)
Indhiya Makkal Kalvi Munnetra Kazhagam (IMKMK)
Meanwhile, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi has called upon the boycotting Opposition parties to reconsider their decision. “I once again appeal to them to reconsider their decision and kindly join in this historical function,” Joshi said.
