Defence Minister Rajnath Singh appeals opposition parties to re-think their Parliament inaugural boycott decision

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday, has appealed the opposition parties to re-think on their proposed decision to boycott the inauguration event of newly constructed Parliament building by PM Modi on Sunday.

Singh while speaking to media said no politics should be done on the new Parliament building inauguration as it is a symbol of the Democracy and an aspiration of the people of this country.  

Singh further urged the opposition parties to give a second thought on their decision of boycotting the inaugural event of the new Parliament building.

The newly built Parliament building is all set to be inaugurated by PM Modi on May 28, a decision that has stirred a political uproar between opposition and the BJP-led Centre.

On Wednesday, a total of 19 like-minded opposition parties expressed their wish to boycott the new Parliament building inauguration ceremony.

The list of opposition parties to avoid the event include Congress, Samajwadi Party, Aam Aadmi Party, Nationalist Congress Chief, Shiv Sena (UBT), Janata Dal (United), Trinamool Congress, DMK and many others.

The parties released a joint statement mentioning that the decision of the inauguration by PM Modi is an insult to the constitution and democracy and alleged that it is a move taken to sideline the President.

Several opposition parties who have distanced themselves from joining the group  and have announced their decision to attend the event are Odisha’s Biju Janata Dal, Andhra Pradesh’s YSRCP and TDP, former PM HD Devegowda’s Janata Dal (Secular) and Mayawati’s BSP.

Yesterday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also made an appeal to the opposition parties to change their stand and re-think about their decision to boycott the  inaugural event.

On May 18, Lok Sabha Secretariat informed about Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had sent an invitation to PM Modi to inaugurate the newly built Parliament.