Rajnath Singh’s appeal to opposition amid row over opening of new Parliament

New Delhi:

Following a call from opposition parties to boycott the inauguration ceremony of the new parliament building, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh today called the new building a symbol of democracy and called on the opposition parties to reconsider their stance on the matter.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha spokesman Om Birla are expected to inaugurate the nation’s new parliament building on May 28.

Rajnath Singh told ANI that no one should politicize the inauguration of the new parliament as it is a display of the aspirations of all Indians.

“The new Parliament building will be inaugurated on May 28th. No one should politicize this, the new parliament is a symbol of democracy and aspirations of all Indians. I appeal to all parties that have decided to boycott the opening of Parliament to reconsider their decision,” Mr Singh said.

He went on to say that this is a historic event and there will be many more opportunities to make politics on various issues in the future.

“The opposition parties should understand the difference between a constitutional session and a social gathering. No session has been convened in Parliament, it is just the opening ceremony,” said Rajnath Singh.

His comments came after at least 21 opposition parties decided to boycott the prime minister’s decision to chair the inauguration ceremony in place of President Droupadi Murmu.

The opposition said the inauguration of the building without President Droupadi Murmu “insults the high office of the President and violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution”.

Meanwhile, amid opposition calls for a boycott, the center has received a confirmed list of 25 political parties, including some not part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), who will attend the inauguration ceremony.

In addition to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), several parties of the NDA including AIADMK, Apna Dal, the Republican Party of India, Shiv Sena’s Shinde faction, NPP and NPF have confirmed their participation in Sunday’s event.

Several neutral parties will be present at the inauguration, including Biju Janata Dal, TDP and YSRCP.

Among the opposition parties, Shiromani Akali Dal and Bahujan Samajwadi Party as well as JDS will attend Sunday’s event.

(Except for the headline, this article was not edited by NDTV staff and is published via a syndicated feed.)