New Delhi: In a reply to the Opposition, Assam Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Himanta Biswa Sarma listed a number of events when the state governments dedicated the Legislative Assembly where Governors were not invited.
This comes in a response to an ongoing row over the inauguration of new Parliament building that is scheduled to be dedicated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28.
In a Twitter post, the Assam CM said, “In the last 9 years – 5 non-BJP/Opposition state governments either laid foundation stones or inaugurated a new Legislative Assembly building. All were done by either the Chief Minister or the Party President. In not a single instance was the Governor or President invited.”
The tweet further read: “2014: UPA Chief Ministers laid foundation stones of Assembly building in Jharkhand and Assam – Governor not invited. 2018: Andhra Chief Minister lays foundation of new Assembly, Governor not invited. 2020: Sonia Gandhi laid foundation stone of Chhattisgarh Assembly, Governor not invited. 2023: Telangana Assembly inaugurated by Chief Minister, Governor not invited.”
In the last 9 years – 5 non-BJP / Opposition state governments either laid foundation stones or inaugurated a new Legislative Assembly building .
All were done by either the Chief Minister or the Party President. In not a single instance was the Governor or President invited. pic.twitter.com/LjP9zjlLGg
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (Modi Ka Parivar) (@himantabiswa) May 24, 2023
Just to save their face: Asaam CM
Talking to media, the Assam CM said, “The boycott is obvious. They opposed the construction of Parliament House. They never thought that the construction will be completed so soon. So, everything has happened like a bouncer for the Opposition.”
“Just to save their face, they are enacting the drama of boycott… Parliament House will open on the day associated with Veer Savarkar. That might be another reason for them to oppose or boycott the function…,” added the Assam CM.
New Parliament Building Row: Centre appeals Oppn to rethink
Earlier in the day, union minister Prahlad Joshi appealed to the Opposition parties who have issued a joint letter announcing that they would boycott the inauguration ceremony, to reconsider their decision citing that it is an historic event.
The union minister added that “this is not a time of politics.”
Oppn condemns ‘undignified act’
Meanwhile, 19 Opposition parties including Congress launched several attacks at PM Modi for ‘insulting the high office of President’ by the decision of dedicating the new Parliament building by himself and not President Draupadi Murmu.
The joint letter issued on Wednesday where the Opposition condmend the ‘undignified act’ and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision “completely sidelines” President Draupadi Murmu.
