He said, “This issue is a matter of respect for the President and the Constitution…No invitation is given to the President, not even to the former President, why? It’s not a party event…”
Raut on Wednesday said his party will join other opposition parties in boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building. President Droupadi Murmu is the head of Parliament, and the Narendra Modi government was ignoring her by not inviting her to the function on May 28, he told reporters.
“All opposition leaders are boycotting the event as the government has not invited the president, an adivasi woman,” Raut said. Both the prime minister and the president can remain present for the event, he said The Sena (UBT) leader also reiterated his stand that there was no need for a new Parliament building in the first place, as the existing one could have lasted for another 100 years.
However, amid the boycott and the tussle, several parties, including non-NDA parties have conceded to attending the inauguration event on Sunday.
25 parties to attend the inauguration
A total of twenty five parties are set to attend the new Parliament building inauguration event on Sunday in national capital Delhi.
Apart from the BJP, several parties in the NDA including AIADMK, Apna Dal, the Republican Party of India, the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena, NPP, and NPF have confirmed their attendance for the function on Sunday.
Several neutral parties, including Biju Janata Dal, TDP, and YSRCP will be present for the inauguration.
Amongst the opposition parties, Shiromani Akali Dal and Bahujan Samajwadi Party and JDS will attend the function on Sunday.
Notably, a total of nineteen opposition parties have said that they would boycott the event, with a ‘Count us out’.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Updated: 26 May 2023, 11:33 AM IST