New Delhi – India’s opposition parties on Wednesday said they would boycott the inauguration of a glitzy new parliament building, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a “grave insult” to democracy by excluding the president.
Construction of the building is part of a Central Vista project aimed at revamping or replacing British colonial-era government facilities, including a new residence for the prime minister.
Work on the parliament building began in January 2021 and is estimated to have cost around 12 billion rupees ($145 million), according to media reports.
Since the project was announced, it has faced criticism over a lack of transparency and high costs. It has also been hit by allegations it violated environmental and land laws.
.@PMOIndia @narendramodi Ji’s decision to inaugurate the new Parliament building by himself, completely sidelining @rhshtrapatibhvn is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response.
Joint statement of 19 Opposition Parties pic.twitter.com/9F4mVOC30h— Girish Chodankar (@girishgoa) May 24, 2023
On Wednesday, 19 opposition parties criticised the government’s decision to exclude Indian President Droupadi Murmu – the head of state – from an inauguration event set for Sunday in New Delhi.
“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 parties said in a joint statement.
“When the soul of democracy has been sucked out from the parliament, we find no value in a new building. We announce our collective decision to boycott the inauguration,” they added.
The government has defended construction of the building, saying it was necessary and a matter of pride for Indians.
The current parliament, designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, was opened in 1927.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Twitter/@MEAIndia
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