19 Opposition parties decide to stay away from PM Modi-inaugurating Parliament ceremony

New Delhi: Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to inaugurate the newly built Parliament by himself a violation of the Constitutionally ordained President’s office, the Congress and as many as eighteen other opposition parties announced their decision to boycott the inaugural ceremony, which is to be held on May 28th.

The opposition parties have expressed their strong disapproval of the BJP government's decision to sideline President Draupadi Murmu, considering it an insult to the President's office and a violation of the Constitution.

In a joint statement, the signatories, including the Trinamool Congress, the DMK, the Janata Dal (United), the Aam Aadmi Party, the Nationalist Congress Party, Shiv Sena, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and others, highlighted the importance of the occasion and their willingness to set aside political differences. However, they criticized Prime Minister Modi's unilateral decision to sideline President Murmu from the inauguration as a serious affront to democracy in India, demanding a fitting response.

Referring to Article 79 of the Constitution of India, the parties emphasized the integral role of the President within the Parliament. They emphasized that the President not only holds the position of the Head of State but also summons, prorogues, and addresses the Parliament.

Moreover, the President's assent is crucial for the enactment of parliamentary legislation. The parties argued that excluding the President from the inauguration disregards the significance of the President's office, violates the principles enshrined in the Constitution, and undermines the spirit of inclusivity represented by India's first woman President hailing from tribal community.

The joint statement accused Prime Minister Modi of a consistent erosion of democratic values, citing undemocratic actions within the Parliament. Opposition Members of Parliament have faced disqualification, suspension, and suppression when raising concerns on behalf of the Indian people.

At the same time, the ruling party's MPs have disrupted parliamentary proceedings, and contentious legislation like the agricultural laws was passed without substantive debate. Additionally, the effectiveness of parliamentary committees has been severely diminished.

The parties also criticized the construction of the new Parliament building, highlighting its exorbitant cost and the lack of consultation with the Indian public or the MPs for whom it is purportedly being built.

Given the perceived decline of democratic values within Parliament, the parties questioned the value of a new building and concluded that their collective decision to boycott the inauguration is warranted. They pledged to persist in their fight against what they view as an authoritarian Prime Minister and his government, vowing to take their message directly to the people of India.

This boycott announcement follows a previous instance in December 2020 when the Congress and several opposition parties also skipped the foundation-laying ceremony of the new Parliament building.

The recent momentum for the boycott grew when the Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party declared their decision to boycott after a meeting between Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Kejriwal sought Banerjee's support against the Centre's ordinance regarding administrative services control in the capital. Subsequently, the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) joined in the boycott announcement on Tuesday.