Opposition Parties Up In Arms Against BJP Over PM Inaugurating New Parl Building

A controversy has erupted over Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the newly-constructed Parliament building as the Congress and other Opposition parties have raised objections to it.

They want President Draupadi Murmu instead of PM Modi to inaugurate the new building.

The Congress has up the ante after Rahul Gandhi, on Twitter, demanded that the President of India should inaugurate the Parliament building.

Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday slammed the Centre over the issue and accused the BJP government of disrespecting the President of India by not inviting her to the event.

"It looks like the Modi government ensured the election of President of India from Dalit and Tribal communities for electoral reasons. It has repeatedly disrespected propriety . Office of the President of India is reduced to tokenism under the BJP-RSS government," Kharge tweeted.

President Draupadi Murmu, as the highest constitutional authority of India's supreme legislative body should inaugurate the new building that will symbolise the Indian government's commitment to democratic values and constitutional propriety, Kharge urged.

"She alone represents government, opposition, and every citizen alike. She is the First Citizen of India. Inauguration of the new Parliament building by her will symbolise Government's commitment to Democratic values and Constitutional propriety," he added.

"While former president Ramnath Kovind was not invited for the new Parliament foundation-laying ceremony... president of India Draupadi Murmu is not being invited for the inauguration of the new Parliament building," he said in a tweet.

Congress senior spokesperson Anand Sharma has said that it will not be constitutionally correct for a Prime Minister to inaugurate the new building of Parliament. He said that "no democracy has done this."

"Parliament is the custodian and pride of India's Constitutional democracy. Its glory must not be undermined. The sovereignty of the people is vested in it. Article 79 of the Constitution is unambiguous. President is the head of Parliament which comprises of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. PM is the leader of Lok Sabha. It is the President who alone can summon the Parliament - Article 85.

Rashtrapati addresses the joint session only flanked by Rajya Sabha Chairman - Vice President and Lok sabha speaker. PM and leader of Raya Sabha are seated in Central Hall. Constitution must be respected in letter and spirit and President should inaugurate," he said on Twitter.

There are also reports that the Congress might boycott the event.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi asked why Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha chairman won't inaugurate it. "Why should PM inaugurate Parliament? He is head of the executive, not legislature. We have separation of powers and honourable Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chair could have inaugurated. It's made with public money, why is PM behaving like his "friends" have sponsored it from their private funds?" Owaisi tweeted.

"Obsession with self-image and cameras trumps decency and norms when it comes to Modi Ji," CPI's D Raja said.

On the other hand, the BJP has slammed the Congress for trying to create controversy over the inauguration of the new Parliament building. "Whenever a good thing happens, Congress leaders resort to cheap politics which has become its hallmark under Rahul Gandhi. When the nation is feeling proud on the construction of new Parliament building, its leaders have again stooped to a new low," BJP chief spokesperson Anil Baluni said.

The Prime Minister will inaugurate the new building on May 28.

A senior BJP leader told the PTI that the President too wanted the Prime Minister to inaugurate the new building. The Prime Minister is set to inaugurate it on May 28. Hitting out at the Congress, Baluni said, "Its perverse mindset has become more entrenched because of Rahul Gandhi's anarchist politics and is on full display as the country excitedly awaits the inauguration of the new building of Parliament, which will stand as a symbol of the Indian democracy."

Also, the inauguration date coincides with the birth anniversary of Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar. This has also not gone well with several parties.

"A complete insult to all our Founding Fathers and Mothers. A total rejection of Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Bose, et al. A blatant repudiation of Dr Ambedkar," . Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh tweeted.

With only a few days left for the inauguration, more drama is expected over the issue, say political observers.

According to the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the new Parliament building can comfortably seat 888 members in the Lok Sabha chamber and 300 in the Rajya Sabha chamber.