The National Democratic Alliance on Wednesday condemned the decision by 19 political parties to boycott the inauguration programme of the new parliament building on May 28. In a statement, the alliance said, “This recent boycott is just another feather in their cap of disregard for democratic processes.” “Such flagrant disrespect towards this institution betrays not only intellectual bankruptcy but a disturbing contempt for the very essence of democracy. Regrettably, this is not the first instance of such disdain,” it said.
“Over the past nine years, these opposition parties have repeatedly shown scant regard for parliamentary procedures, disrupted sessions, staged walkouts during crucial legislations, and demonstrated an alarming lackadaisical attitude towards their Parliamentary duties,” the alliance said.
Several opposition parties have announced their decision to boycott the inaugural event criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government for not inviting President Droupadi Murmu for the programme.
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. Their hypocrisy knows no bounds – they boycotted the special GST session presided over by the then President of… pic.twitter.com/xA9GaiM64A
— ANI (@ANI) May 24, 2023
Targeting the opposition parties, the alliance 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.”
“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.”
ALSO READ: ‘Not Modiji’s Grihpravesh’: Oppn Goes All Guns Blazing On Parliament Opening, BJP Says ‘Drama’
“Further, the disrespect shown towards our current President, Smt. Draupadi Murmuis a new low in political discourse. The staunch opposition to her candidature is not just an insult to her but a direct affront to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of our nation,” it said.
The Opposition parties that have announced the boycott include: Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Janata Dal(United), Nationalist Congress Party, Samajwadi Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist ), Communist Party of India, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Rashtriya Lok Dal, Revolutionary Socialist Party, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Muslim League, National Conference, and Kerala Congress.
Meanwhile Biju Janata Dal has announced that it will attend the inaugural event. The announcement came just days after party chief Naveen Patnaik rejected the possibility of an Opposition front to take on the BJP and said his BJD would go solo in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.