Title: Opposition Parties to Boycott Inauguration of New Parliament Building by Prime Minister Modi
In a significant move, the Trinamool Congress, the Communist Party of India, and the Aam Aadmi Party jointly declared their decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28. This announcement came after sources revealed that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal had reached out to other Opposition leaders to gauge their sentiments, expressing their reservations about the Prime Minister inaugurating the building instead of the President.
On Tuesday, Members of Parliament received invitations for the event through WhatsApp, leaving some Opposition MPs dissatisfied. “Perhaps they [the government] will send a formal invite. But surely they could have done better,” expressed one Opposition MP.
The decision to boycott the inauguration reflects the growing dissent among opposition parties towards the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Trinamool Congress, led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has been a vocal critic of the BJP’s policies and has been actively working to unite opposition parties against the ruling government. The Communist Party of India, known for its left-leaning ideology, has also been critical of the BJP-led government, particularly on issues related to social justice and workers’ rights. The Aam Aadmi Party, which governs the state of Delhi, has been at odds with the BJP on various matters, particularly regarding the distribution of power between the central government and state governments.
The opposition parties’ decision to boycott the inauguration highlights their dissatisfaction with the current political climate and their concern over the centralization of power in the Prime Minister’s Office. They argue that the President, as the constitutional head of state, should be responsible for such ceremonial events. By choosing to have the Prime Minister inaugurate the new Parliament building, the government may have inadvertently deepened the existing divide between the ruling party and the opposition.
The opposition leaders’ outreach to gauge the sentiments of other parties indicates a concerted effort to present a united front against the BJP. This move comes at a time when opposition parties are actively exploring alliances and strategies to counter the ruling party in the upcoming state and national elections. The boycott is seen as a symbolic gesture of opposition unity and a signal to the government that they will not back down from holding the ruling party accountable.
The decision is expected to have political implications and may further polarize the already charged political environment in the country. It is likely to fuel debates on the appropriate division of power between the executive and the legislature, with critics arguing that the ruling party is consolidating power at the expense of democratic norms.
As the inauguration day approaches, all eyes will be on the new Parliament building, where Prime Minister Modi is set to deliver his address. The absence of opposition leaders will be conspicuous and serve as a reminder of the widening divide in Indian politics. It remains to be seen how this boycott will impact the functioning of the Parliament and future political dynamics in the country.
The joint decision by the Trinamool Congress, the Communist Party of India, and the Aam Aadmi Party to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Modi reflects the growing discontent and opposition unity against the ruling BJP. This move highlights the opposition’s concerns over the centralization of power and the need for a more inclusive and balanced political landscape. The boycott is expected to have political ramifications and further intensify the already charged political atmosphere in the country.