India new parliament building: Parties boycotting inaugural function | Full list

India’s new parliament building is set to be inaugurated on Sunday (May 28). Ahead of the inauguration, it has been caught up in a political tussle. Many of the opposition parties have raised objections over the new parliament and decided to boycott the inauguration ceremony on Sunday.

A total of 20parties in the opposition have rallied against the Centre at the inauguration event. They released a joint statement expressing discontent against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to inaugurate the new parliament building, “completely sidelining President Droupadi Murmu.”

They claimed that this decision is “not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy.”

To protest this, opposition parties, including the Congress, Left and TMC have collectively announced their decision to boycott the inauguration, terming it as an “undignified act”.

List of parties who will boycott the inauguration of new Parliament building

The 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 the signatories of the joint statement.

Congress: The party is set to join other opposition parties in boycotting the new Parliament building inauguration. Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said, “One question for the government -- why are you insulting the president who happens to be a woman from a humble background? Is it because she comes from a humble background? The president is the first citizen of the country and why are you not getting the new building of Parliament, which is called the pillar of democracy, inaugurated by her?"

AIMIM:President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Asaduddin Owaisi also said that their party will skip the inauguration ceremony on May 28.

“Parliament, also known as the Legislature, is independent of the Executive (led by the Prime Minister) and Judiciary (led by the CJI). Hence, we are opposing the decision of PM Modi to inaugurate the New Parliament Building,” he said.

“According to Article 52 (1), even the President of India is a part of the Executive. Hence, their (opposition parties) claim that President Murmu should inaugurate the building is invalid,” he added.

Shiv Sena: Uddhav Thackery faction leader Sanjay Raut said, “All opposition parties have decided to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building on 28th May and we will also do the same.”

DMK: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Tiruchi Siva told ANI news agency that the party will boycott the new parliament building inauguration.

RJD: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has confirmed to ANI that the party will boycott the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building in Delhi on May 28.

NCP: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) spokesperson said the party will not attend the inaugural function of the new parliament building, and has decided to stand with other like-minded opposition parties on this issue.

VCK: Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) will boycott the new Parliament building inauguration.

TMC: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O’Brien said in a tweet, “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. Prime Minister Modi doesn't get that. For him, Sunday's inauguration of the new building is all about I, ME, MYSELF. So count us out.”

AAP: As per Aam Aadi Party’s statement, they will also boycott the May 28 inauguration. “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,” it said in a statement.

CPI (M): The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has also announced to skip the inauguration ceremony. CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP Dr John Brittas confirmed the news to ANI. "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...," CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury tweeted.

Home Minister Amit Shah asked parties not to politicise the inauguration

Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah asked parties not to politicise the inauguration of the new Parliament building.

“The government has sent invitations to all. People will respond to the government invitation depending on their sentiments and feelings,” Shah said.

"We should not politicize this issue, let people think and react however they want to," he added further.

Shah was speaking at an event where he announced that a distinguished delegation from Tamil Nadu would present to the PM the “Sengol” (sceptre) on May 28 to markthe transfer of power from the British kingdom to India in 1947.

Thisspectre was symbolic of power transfer from one king to another in the centuries-old Chola dynasty. It has been chosen by the government to mark the transfer of power to Indian as per nationalcivilisational values.

New Parliament building

The foundation stone of the new building of parliament was laid on December 10, 2020, by PM Modi. The newly-constructed parliament building has been built in record time.

The new building will work to further enrich India’s glorious democratic traditions and constitutional values. It is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities which help the Members to perform their functions in a better way. The new parliament will enable 888 members to sit in the Lok Sabha. At present, only 543 members can sit in the Lok Sabha while 250 in the Rajya Sabha.

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