Why The Opposition Wants To Boycott The Inauguration of The New Parliament Building?

May 28, 2023

While everyone is looking forward to one of the biggest ceremonies in the recent past, the Opposition would like to differ.
As many as 19 Opposition parties plan to boycott the event as the inauguration will be done by PM Modi and not President Draupadi Murmu.
Trinamool Rajya Sabha leader Derek O’Brien took to Twitter and expressed displeasure over the inauguration by PM Modi and not the President.
Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor as well admonished the inauguration by the Prime Minister and not the President.
The contestation which they raise is somehow related to the Role of the President as given in the Constitution.
According to Article 79 : “There shall be a Parliament for the Union which shall consist of the President and the two Houses – Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of People (Lok Sabha).”
Article 85 mentions about the power the President has with respect to prorogation and dissolution the Sessions of the Parliament.
Similarly, Article 87 also states that the President must address both the Houses before every Parliament session.
Therefore, the main contention was that BJP is trying to usurp the power dynamics and eroding the Democracy.