CPI-M to boycott new parliament building inauguration
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New Delhi: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has decided to join the protest against the inauguration of the new parliament building by the Prime Minister. The boycott decision was confirmed by CPIM Rajya Sabha member John Brittas to the media.
Sitaram Yechury, Secretary General of the party in a tweet berated the decision to have the inauguration of the building by the prime minister. "Modi bypassed the President when the foundation stone for the new Parliament building was laid. Now too at the inauguration. Unacceptable. Constitution Art 79: 'There shall be a Parliament for the Union which shall consist of the President and two Houses..' " Yechury tweeted.
"Only when the President of India summons the Parliament can it meet. The President begins, annually, Parliamentary functioning by addressing the joint session. The first business Parliament transacts each year is the "Motion of Thanks" to the President's Address," he tweeted.
Aam Aadmi Party also said it would boycott the function. "Aam Aadmi Party will boycott the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building on 28th May. AAP has taken this decision in view of the questions being raised regarding the matter of not inviting the President to the inauguration ceremony," Aam Aadmi Party said.
TMC MP Derek O'Brien took to Twitter to announce the party's decision. "Parliament is not just a new building; it is an establishment with old traditions, values, precedents and rules - it is the foundation of Indian democracy. PM Modi doesn't get that. For him, Sunday's inauguration of the new building is all about I, ME, MYSELF. So count us out," he tweeted.
Invitations for the inauguration of the new Parliament building slated on May 28 have been sent to various leaders across the country including the former Speakers and Chairmen of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively, sources said on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla are slated to dedicate to the nation the new Parliament building on May 28.
Invitations have been sent in both physical and digital forms to the MPs of both Houses. According to sources, all Chief Ministers of all the states and Union Territories have been sent the invitation. In addition, Secretaries of all ministries of the Government of India are also among the invitees.
The chief architect of the new Parliament building, Bimal Patel and reputed industrialist Ratan Tata have also been invited to the inauguration of the new building.
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, ANI quoted sources as saying.
Incidentally, the inauguration date of May 28, also coincides with the birth anniversary of Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar.
The Congress has also come out fiercely against not inviting the head of state, the President to the function of inauguration. The party blamed the ruling government for ignoring President Draupadi Murmu. During the BJP regime, Rashtrapati Bhavan has got reduced to a memorial, the party criticised.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also said that the choice of Murmu as Presidential candidate was because of her hailing from Dalit/Adivasi section and it was only on electoral considerations. Kharge also remarked that the President inaugurating the building would have highlighted a commitment to the constitution and democratic values. The parliament is an institution that represents the government and the opposition and every citizen of the nation.
The newly constructed Parliament building has been built in record time with quality construction.
Now the newly constructed building of Parliament is also equipped with state-of-the-art facilities which will help the Members to perform their functions in a better way. The new Parliament building will enable 888 members to sit in the Lok Sabha. The existing building seating capacity is 543 in the Lok Sabha and 250 in the Rajya Sabha. The joint session of the parliament will be held in the Lok Sabha hall.
(With inputs from agencies)