New Delhi: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahalad Joshi on Wednesday termed the opposition parties’ decision to boycott the inauguration of the new parliament building “unfortunate” and appealed them to reconsider their decision. 

19 opposition parties, including Congress, TMC, and AAP, decided to boycott the inauguration ceremony of the newly built parliament building demanding it should be inaugurated by the president and not by PM Modi.

In a joint letter on Wednesday, 19 Opposition parties announced to boycott the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building on May 28 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to dedicate the infrastructure by himself “completely sidelining” President Draupadi Murmu, said the signatories.

“When soul of democracy has been sucked out from Parliament, we find no value in new building,” read the joint statement.

Lashing out at the Narendra Modi-led central government, the Opposition parties said, “However, Prime Minister Modi’s decision to inaugurate the new Parliament building by himself, completely sidelining President Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response.”

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