Was it anti-democractic when Indira Gandhi…?: Devendra Fadnavis
Devendra Fadnavis, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra
New Delhi: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Wednesday asked if it was anti-democratic when Indira Gandhi inaugurated the Parliament Annexe building in 1975.
Talking to press, Deputy CM Fadnavis said, "Indira Gandhi inaugurated the Parliament Annexe building in 1975, Rajiv Gandhi did the Bhoomi Pujan of the Parliament Library. Was it anti-democratic?"
"The decision taken by the opposition shows that they do not have faith in democracy. It is not just the building of India's Lok Sabha, it is the building of strength of New India," he added.
Fadnavis' statement came in response to a joint letter issued by the Opposition that the latter would boycott the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building on May 28.
As many as 19 Opposition parties announced on Wednesday that they would skip the ceremony as PM Modi would dedicate the new infrasture instead of President Draupadi Murmu.
The Opposition alleged that the "undignified act" insults the high office of President. “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,” read the letter.
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