‘Affront to democratic ethos’: NDA slams 19 opposition parties’ boycott Parliament launch call

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Wednesday condemned the decision of the 19 opposition parties, led by the Congress, to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28.

“This act is not merely disrespectful; it is a blatant affront to the democratic ethos and constitutional values of our great nation,” the statement released by NDA said.

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.

“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. 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. This recent boycott is just another feather in their cap of disregard for democratic processes,” the NDA statement said.

As many as 19 opposition parties, including the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), TMC, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena, have announced their decision to boycott the ceremony.

“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.

It recalled their opposition to her presidential bid as the NDA candidate and said their “disrespect” shown towards her is a new low in political discourse.

“Further, the disrespect shown towards our current President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, is 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,” the statement said.

“It is painfully apparent that the Opposition shuns Parliament because it represents the will of the people – a will that has repeatedly rejected their antiquated and self-serving politics. Their preference for semi-monarchic governments and family-run parties shows an aversion to vibrant democracy, an ideology incongruent with the ethos of our nation,” it added.

According to the Opposition parties, the prime minister’s decision to inaugurate the building by himself, “completely sidelining President Droupadi Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response”.

The signatories to the letter included BJP president JP 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.

Sikkim chief minister and SKM leader Prem Singh Tamang, Haryana deputy chief minister and Jananayak Janata Party leader Dushyant Chautala, RLJP leader and Union minister Pashupati Kumar Paras, Republican Party leader and Union minister Ramdas Athawale and Apna Dal (Sonelal) leader and Union minister Anupriya Patel are also among the signatories to the letter.