New parliament building row: Jagan urges opposition not to boycott inauguration
Jagan stated that his party will attend the inaugural on May 28 in New Delhi
By Sri Lakshmi Muttevi Published on 25 May 2023 3:22 AM GMT
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy appealed to the opposition not to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building.
This followed the decision by nineteen political parties to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building.
Jagan stated that his party will attend the inaugural on May 28 in New Delhi.
On Wednesday evening, he wrote a message on Twitter congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dedicating the Parliament Building to the nation.
"Parliament, being the temple of democracy, reflects our nation's soul and belongs to the people of our country and all the political parties. Boycotting such an auspicious event is not in the true spirit of democracy. Setting aside all political differences, I request that all political parties attend this glorious event. In the true spirit of democracy, my party will attend this historic event,” Jagan tweeted.
I congratulate @narendramodi ji for dedicating the grand, majestic and spacious Parliament building to the nation. Parliament, being the temple of democracy, reflects our nation's soul and belongs to the people of our country and all the political parties. Boycotting such an…
— YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) May 24, 2023
Earlier, several opposition leaders announced boycotting the inaugural saying that they find no value in a new building when the soul of democracy has been sucked out. 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.
The decision to boycott came in with the opposition demanding that the president should inaugurate the new Parliament building and not the prime minister.
President is not only the Head of State in India, but also an integral part of Parliament as she summons, prorogues, and addresses it, they said.
The opposition parties had also boycotted the foundation stone laying ceremony in December 2020, citing concerns about its timing amid farmer protests, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic distress due to a lockdown.
