Twenty opposition parties released a joint statement on Wednesday
declaring their decision to boycott the parliament inauguration.
They referred to the inauguration of the new parliament building as a “grave insult” and a “direct assault” on democracy.
On May 28, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi planned to inaugurate the new Parliament Building. The event has invited all current members of both houses of Parliament, ministers, secretaries, chief ministers, and administrators of Union territories.
However, approximately 20 parties, including the Congress, CPI, AAP, and Trinamool
Congress, have declared their decision to boycott the event.
Despite the boycott of the Parliament inauguration by 20 opposition parties, non-BJP and
non-NDA parties such as BJD, SAD, TDP, and YSRCP have decided to attend the ceremony
on May 28.
During a meeting between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Kolkata, a message inviting them to the inauguration popped up on a TMC leader’s mobile phone.
Shortly after the discussions, the TMC announced its withdrawal from the ceremony,
followed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after their chief ministers arrived in Mumbai.
The challenge was to create a joint statement on skipping the ceremony that would include both the AAP and TMC, parties increasingly distancing themselves from the Congress. A draft version of the statement, initially composed by a senior Congress strategist, underwent two edits to focus on a joint approach and be suitable for both the AAP and TMC. Finally, on Wednesday morning, 20 opposition parties jointly issued the statement, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had undermined the office of the President and distanced themselves from the ceremony.
Another complication arose when Congress expressed uncertainty in backing the AAP against an ordinance nullifying a Supreme Court order regarding the powers of Delhi’s elected government. While the Congress remained non-committal, the AAP decided to sign the statement after discussions with non-Congress opposition parties. Some other opposition parties also expressed support for the AAP.
A senior Congress leader stated that when a bill is introduced in the monsoon session to replace the Delhi services ordinance, Congress can criticize both the bill and the AAP government in Delhi.
The joint statement is seen as a collective effort, creating a template for future collaboration on important issues and emphasizing teamwork rather than one-upmanship, as stated by TMC’s Rajya Sabha leader Derek O’Brien.
BRS’s Response
Discussions with opposition parties for the joint statement took place on Tuesday. During the statement’s preparation, some non-Congress opposition parties reached out to Telangana’s ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). However, the BRS leadership declined to be part of the joint statement due to upcoming assembly elections in Telangana and was advised to hold a separate press conference to announce their decision to boycott the event.
Parties attending Parliament Inauguration
There are several parties that have confirmed their attendance at an event, considering it to be a significant and democratic occasion.
The following is the list of the political parties that will be present at the inauguration:
Biju Janata Dal (BJD)
Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP)
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)
Telugu Desam Party (TDP)
Shiv Sena (Shinde faction)
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)
National People’s Party (NPP)
Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP)
Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM)
Mizo National Front (MNF)
Jananayak Janata Party (JJP)
All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU)
Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP)
Republican Party of India (RPI)
Apna Dal (S)
India Makkal Kalvi Munnetra Kazhagam (IMKMK)
Tamil Maanila Congress
