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At this point ,political parties have got divided into two groups over the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28th, constitutional experts feel the opposition leaders are not justified in their protest as there are no rules governing the matter. The opposition parties’ contention is that the new Parliament should be inaugurated by the head of State, who occupies the number one position in the warrant of precedence. The second position is occupied by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and PM Modi comes third.But there are a handful of other opposition parties that have backed the inauguration of the new Parliament by Modi. These include the Biju Janata Dal, YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), Janata Dal (Secular), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Apart from their respective political compulsions, this is also indicative of a growing realisation that opposing Modi on an issue surrounding a national symbol may not work for them.
Union Rural Development Minister, Giriraj Singh has sided with the NDA led, Modi government. “PM Modi worked for making India’s image strong in the world. Parties have reached the level where they are comparing Parliament with a coffin just for opposing the PM. I want to ask them: Will they come in this coffin for the next session or not? If the PM of the country will not do it, then who else will?” , cited ANI while having a talk with the minister. Indian politics at this stage is witnessing an ongoing intense verbal tussle over the inauguration of the new Parliament building as the Opposition believes that it should have been inaugurated by the President instead of the PM.
Several opposition parties boycotted the inauguration of the new parliament building, saying that that it “insults the high office of the President, and violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution”. In a joint statement, the like-minded opposition parties said that Prime Minister’s decision to inaugurate the building by himself is “a direct assault on our democracy, which demands a commensurate response.”