'Soul Of Democracy Sucked Out': 19 Opposition Parties To Boycott New Parliament Opening

Congress, Trinamool and DMK are among the 19 opposition parties that have decided to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building on 28 May by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday (24 May), the Opposition parties said that, “Prime Minister Modi’s decision to inaugurate the new Parliament building by himself, completely sidelining President Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response", reports The Hindu.

The statement further said that Parliament cannot function without the President and yet, PM Modi decided to inaugurate the new building without her.

"This undignified act insults the high office of the President and violates the letter and spirit of the constitution. It undermines the spirit of inclusion which saw the nation celebrate its first woman Adivasi President," the opposition parties said.

The statement further said, "Undemocratic acts are not new to the Prime Minister, who has relentlessly hollowed out the Parliament. Opposition Members of Parliament have been disqualified, suspended and muted when they raised the issues of the people of India".

"When the soul of democracy has been sucked out from the Parliament, we find no value in a new building. We announce our collective decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building. We will continue to fight — in letter, in spirit, and in substance — against this authoritarian Prime Minister and his government, and take our message directly to the people of India,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, addressing a news briefing today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah declined to comment on the opposition parties' move but said, "We have invited everyone. They can decide according to their wisdom".