Congress MP Manish Tewari responded to Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s criticism by admonishing Puri to read the Constitution of India. Puri had accused the Congress of needlessly stirring controversies over PM Modi inaugurating the new Parliament building. In defense, Tewari cited Article 79 of the Constitution, which states that the Parliament comprises the President and two Houses. Tewari emphasized the necessity for Union ministers to acquaint themselves with the Constitution.
Scheduled for May 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will personally inaugurate the new Parliament building, coinciding with VD Savarkar’s birth anniversary. Questioning this decision, opposition leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, queried why the President wasn’t chosen for the inauguration. Echoing these sentiments, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed concern over the BJP-RSS government’s relegation of the President’s role to mere tokenism.
In summary, Manish Tewari urged Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to familiarize himself with the Constitution of India, underscoring the President’s inclusion in the Parliament. Meanwhile, Congress leaders and opposition figures raised doubts about Prime Minister Modi’s selection for inaugurating the new Parliament building, rather than the President, voicing apprehension regarding the diminishing role of the President under the BJP-RSS government.