– Kamlesh Pandey
No one is ever close to anyone in politics. Pros and cons are never for each other. Both are waiting for an opportunity to corner each other. Something similar is happening with regard to the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament House. This shows both the intellectual level and greediness of our people’s representatives. It is quite clear that this is being made an issue with a view to the General Elections 2024. All the parties involved in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are united. There are conflicting positions among the parties involved in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and their potential allies.
The BJP-led coalition is united in getting the new Parliament House inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28 and showing the mirror of parliamentary history to the opposition. The pro-UPA parties, opening a front against it, have called it an insult to the President and democracy. The 19 opposition parties of the UPA have clearly stated that they will not attend the inauguration ceremony and will organize a mass boycott.
If we look at the statement of important leaders of both the parties on this entire episode, it becomes clear that due to their political dogma, these people are misleading people from history and present. Its purpose seems to be to garner media headlines. Some people are calling it an attempt to take away the constitutional rights of President Draupadi Murmu. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said that this is an insult to the highest constitutional post. Parliament is not made of bricks of ego, but of constitutional values.
SP President Akhilesh Yadav has said that giving equal opportunity to all is a true parliamentary tradition. Where there is no respect for the opposition, it cannot be a true parliament. It is worth mentioning that these are the same people when they were in power, all political norms were torn apart. Some humiliated their Prime Minister and some their uncle. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi made it clear by giving a composed statement on the furore of the opposition that the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the guardian of the Parliament. He has invited the Prime Minister to inaugurate. So there is nothing wrong in it.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the opposition had never thought that the new parliament building would be built so soon. It is like a ‘bouncer’ for them. Means now he is getting political injury, so what should he do? Taking a dig at the opposition, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that this is not the first time that the Prime Minister of the country is witnessing such an inauguration programme. In fact, earlier the Parliament Annexe was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The foundation stone of the Parliament Library was laid by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Apart from this there are many other examples. Yogi said that the new Parliament House is in line with today’s requirements. It is built with a vision for the next 100 years and is a fusion of tradition and modernity. It is made with visionary way. Every parliamentarian can get proper space and all kinds of facilities, this has been kept in mind.
It is important that despite having so many examples, the way the opposition is trying to tarnish the historical moment of witnessing this dignified program, the country will not accept it at all. 19 opposition parties issued a joint statement announcing a mass boycott of the opening ceremony. These parties include Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, JDU, Aam Aadmi Party, NCP, Samajwadi Party, RJD, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), CPI(M), CPI, Indian Union Muslim League, JMM, National Conference, Kerala Congress (M), Revolutionary Socialist Party, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), MDMK and RLD.
The leaders of the parties involved in the NDA have urged these leaders of the opposition to reconsider the decision. In their joint statement, these leaders termed the decision of the opposition as humiliating and an attack on the country’s democratic values ​​and constitutional beliefs. The leaders said that we are celebrating the nectar festival of independence. This is not the time to divide us, but to show unity and a shared commitment to the welfare of the people. These leaders include BJP President JP Nadda, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, Haryana Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, Union Ministers Pashupatinath Paras, Anupriya Patel, Ramdas Athawale, Tamil Maanila Congress’s GK Vasan, AIADMK’s I Palanisamy, IMKMK’s Devanathan, AJSU’s Sudesh Mahato, among others.
It is understood that following this request, parties like YSR Congress, BJD, Shiromani Akali Dal, BSP, LJP (Ram Vilas), TDP, BRS etc. can attend the inauguration ceremony. However, it is clear from the stand of the opposition leaders that they are mobilizing to stop the Ashwamedh chariot of the BJP, which once showed the dream of a Congress-free India to the countrymen. Their arms have started fluttering since the Karnataka elections. The opposition has left no stone unturned. The issue was taken to the highest court of the country. These leaders have been disappointed from the doorstep of the court. The Supreme Court has refused to hear the demand to inaugurate the President.
(The author is a freelance commentator.)
Read the Latest India News Today on The Eastern Herald.
