"Count Us Out": AAP, Trinamool Boycott Opening Of New Parliament Building

Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress became the first opposition party to say that they would boycott the inauguration of the new parliament on Delhi's Central Vista by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, due on May 28. Later in the evening, Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party became the second, declaring that they would boycott the function on account of the "insult" to President Droupadi Murmu, who was not allowed to inaugurate the building. Mr Kejriwal had met Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday as part of his outreach to opposition parties over the Centre's executive order on transfer and postings of bureaucrats in Delhi.

Trinamool MP Derek O'Brien tweeted, "Parliament is not just a new building; it is an establishment with old traditions, values, precedents and rules - it is the foundation of Indian democracy. PM Modi doesn't get that.  For him, Sunday's inauguration of the new building is all about I, ME, MYSELF. So count us out".

The Arvind Kejriwal government, which is challenging the Centre's executive order, known as Ordinance, over transfer and postings in Delhi, said not inviting the President is an "insult to her" and the party will boycott the parliament ceremony on Sunday.   

"Not inviting Her Excellency the President Draupadi Murmu ji to the inauguration ceremony of the Parliament House is a gross insult to her. This is an insult to the Dalit tribal and deprived society of India. @AamAadmiParty will boycott the inauguration program in protest against Modi ji not inviting His Excellency the President," AAP leader Sanjay Singh tweeted.

Several Opposition parties, including the Congress, have objected to PM Modi opening the new parliament instead of President Droupadi Murmu.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the government of "repeatedly disrespecting propriety" by not inviting the President and former President to the inauguration.

Mr Kovind, he tweeted yesterday, was not invited for the foundation laying ceremony of the new parliament, and Droupadi Murmu is not being invited for the inauguration of the new Parliament Building.

"She (the President) alone represents government, opposition, and every citizen alike. She is the First Citizen of India. Inauguration of the new Parliament building by her will symbolise Government's commitment to Democratic values and Constitutional propriety," read another of his tweets.

The Congress, though, is yet to announce its stance on the opening ceremony. The opposition's gameplan will be evolved at a mega meet, which will be held soon, the party has said. In December 2020, when PM Modi did the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Parliament building, the Congress had boycotted the event.

Several opposition parties, including the CPI and Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM have also criticized the government's move.  

Leading the attack against the Congress yesterday, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted, " Congress has a habit of raking controversies where none exist. While President is the Head of State, PM is the Head of Govt and leads the Parliament on behalf of the Govt, whose Policies are effected in form of Laws. The President is not a Member of either House, whereas PM is.."

The new building was constructed after the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha passed resolutions asking for one, citing space crunch in the current Parliament building, which is nearly 100 years old.

In both Houses, there was also a lack of convenient arrangements for the sitting of the MPs, which was affecting the efficiency of the work of the members.