New Parliament Building Controversy: 20 Opposition parties to boycott inauguration; Pralhad Joshi slams decision as political

New Delhi: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi criticized the decision of 20 opposition parties to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building, emphasizing that it is a historical event and not a time for politics. Joshi expressed his disappointment during a media address, stating that turning the inauguration into a contentious matter is regrettable.

Pralhad Joshi Urges Reconsideration
"This is a historical event. This is not the time for politics...Boycotting and making issues out of a new issue is most unfortunate. I appeal to them to reconsider their decision and join this historical function...," urged Pralhad Joshi.

Opposition Parties Cite Insult to President's Office
The opposition parties' boycott comes after the Congress and 18 other parties decided to refrain from attending the inauguration, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to proceed without President Droupadi Murmu as an insult to the President's office and a violation of the Constitution's principles.

In a joint statement, the like-minded opposition parties expressed their concerns, referring to the Prime Minister's decision as "a direct assault on our democracy, which demands a commensurate response."

Scheduled for May 28, the inauguration of the new Parliament building faces opposition from these parties who declared, "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."

Inauguration Faces Collective Opposition
The twenty parties joining the boycott are the Congress, DMK, Aam Aadmi Party, Shiv Sena (UBT), Samajwadi Party, TMC, Janata Dal (United), Nationalist Congress Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), RJD, Indian Union Muslim League, National Conference, Communist Party of India, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Kerala Congress (Mani), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Rashtriya Lok Dal, Revolutionary Socialist Party, and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

It remains to be seen how this boycott will impact the overall atmosphere of the inauguration and the subsequent functioning of the new Parliament building. The event initially intended as a momentous occasion to mark a milestone in India's democratic system, has now become entangled in political strife, highlighting the deep divisions within the country's political landscape.