BJP-led NDA condemns Oppn for boycotting new Parliament inauguration: ‘The audacity of these parties…’

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has reacted to the 19 Opposition parties boycotting the inaugural function of the new Parliament. Condemning the Opposition's decision to snub the event on May 28, the NDA has said that the decision of 19 political parties is not merely disrespectful, it was also a blatant affront to the democratic ethos and constitutional values of the nation.

In a statement, the NDA said, “Opposition's flagrant disrespect to Parliament betrays intellectual bankruptcy, disturbing contempt for [the] essence of democracy.” Attacking the Opposition parties further, the NDA said, “The audacity of these opposition parties to preach about parliamentary decency and constitutional values is, in the light of their actions, nothing short of laughable.”

In a statement, leaders of 14 parties of the ruling alliance also implored the Opposition parties to reconsider their decision and said the people of India will not forget their "egregious insult to our democracy and to their elected representatives" if they go ahead with their stand to boycott the new Parliament inauguration event.

“Their hypocrisy knows no bounds – they boycotted the special GST session presided over by the then President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee; skipped the ceremony when he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, and even extended a late courtesy call to Shri Ramnath Kovind Ji upon his election as President. Further, the disrespect shown towards our current President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, is a new low in political discourse,” the NDA said.

The NDA said that the Opposition parties have "repeatedly" shown disregard for parliamentary procedures. “This recent boycott is just another feather in their cap of disregard for democratic processes,” it said.

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The signatories to the letter included BJP president J P Nadda, Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, NPP leader and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Nagaland Chief Minister and NDPP's Nefu Rio.

As many as 19 Opposition parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Aam Aadmi Party, joined together and announced their decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building. The Opposition has alleged that the decision by the prime minister to inaugurate the Parliament building himself and “completely sidelining President Droupadi Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response”.