Oppn decision to boycott new Parliament Complex inauguration shows ‘frustrated mindset’: Maha Speaker Rahul Narvekar

The AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi also announced that his party’s MPs, too, would not attend the ceremony on Sunday.

In a statement, Narvekar said, “The sacred temple of democracy in India will witness a proud moment in the nation’s history when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the New Parliament Complex on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Veer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar on 28 May 2023.”

Narvekar said Parliament is a forum consisting of the ruling and Opposition parties and various national issues are discussed and decided at this august platform. Therefore, “the decision by some Opposition parties to boycott this historic celebration will be the most lamentable act on their part. The Opposition’s refusal to participate in this event is the evidence of its frustrated mindset,” Narvekar asserted.

He further argued, “It would be improper for the Opposition to keep away from the inaugural function at the hands of the prime minister as India is the largest functioning democracy in the world and the moment to cherish will be the inauguration of the New Parliament Complex by the leader of this nation.”

It would be important to remember some democratic precedents in this connection, Narvekar said. He reminded the detractors of the ruling BJP that on one occasion, a new legislative complex was inaugurated by an individual who did not hold any constitutional post at the time. Nonetheless, leaders of various parties, including the Opposition, attended that function, he added.

“Why should some people grieve now when the New Parliament Complex is to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister, who heads the Government of India as per national mandate?” he asked.