Stage set for inauguration of new Parliament building by PM Modi on May 28

The opposition led by Cong has decided to boycott the event, accusing the government of inflicting a ‘grave insult on democracy’ by ‘sidelining’ President Murmu

Amidst the boycott call by at least 20 opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Sunday inaugurate the new parliament building which will house both the chambers of India’s federal bi-cameral legislature.

The inauguration ceremony is expected to extend for several hours beginning early morning followed by the installation of the ‘Sengol’- a historical golden scepter received by first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on the eve of Independence representing the transfer of power from the British. It will be placed beside the speaker’s chair in the lower house of parliament.

The opposition led by Congress has decided to boycott the event, accusing the government of inflicting a ‘grave insult on democracy’ by ‘sidelining’ President Droupadi Murmu- the first tribal president of the country- and instead inviting Prime Minister Modi to inaugurate the building.

“Those in power nowadays have no respect for history. This is an attempt to change the history by those who made no contribution to the freedom struggle”, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar whose party JD(U) is boycotting the function said on Saturday.

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MPs from 25 parties- including members of the ruling NDA- will be in attendance at the ceremony where a commemorative Rs 75 coin to mark 75 years of independence will also be released.

About half a dozen regional parties that are not part of the ruling coalition have however decided to ignore boycott calls by the opposition. MP’s from Biju Janata Dal, Janata Dal (Secular), YSR Congress, Telegu Desam Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Lok Janshakti Party (Paswan), and Akali Dal will be in attendance.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur on Saturday termed the boycott call by the opposition as an ‘insult’ to the institution.

“It is a different matter that some people got barred from Parliament. Earlier they would find excuses for not allowing parliament to function. Now, they are talking of boycott, which is also an insult”; Thakur said in a veiled attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

The triangular-shaped four-story building of the new parliament has two legislative chambers- the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The complex will also have a grand constitution hall that will showcase India's democratic heritage, an MP lounge, a library, and multiple committee rooms to hold meetings.