Indian opposition parties describe Indian PM Modi as \u2018grave insult\u2019 to democracy
\nNEW DELHI
\nIndia\u2019s opposition parties on Wednesday said they would boycott the inauguration of a glitzy new parliament building, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a \u201cgrave insult\u201d to democracy by excluding the president.
\nConstruction of the building is part of a Central Vista project aimed at revamping or replacing British colonial-era government facilities, including a new residence for the prime minister.
\nWork on the parliament building began in January 2021 and is estimated to have cost around 12 billion rupees ($145 million), according to media reports.
\nSince the project was announced, it has faced criticism over a lack of transparency and high costs. It has also been hit by allegations it violated environmental and land laws.
\nOn Wednesday, 19 opposition parties criticized the government\u2019s decision to exclude Indian President Droupadi Murmu \u2014 the head of state \u2014 from an inauguration event set for Sunday in New Delhi.
\n\u201cPrime Minister Modi\u2019s decision to inaugurate the new parliament building by himself, completely sidelining President Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response,\u201d the parties said in a joint statement.
\n\u201cWhen the soul of democracy has been sucked out from the parliament, we find no value in a new building. We announce our collective decision to boycott the inauguration,\u201d they added.
\nThe government has defended construction of the building, saying it was necessary and a matter of pride for Indians.
\nThe current parliament, designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, was opened in 1927.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Indian opposition parties describe Indian PM Modi as \u2018grave insult\u2019 to democracy NEW DELHI India\u2019s opposition parties on Wednesday said they would boycott the inauguration of a glitzy new parliament building, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a \u201cgrave insult\u201d to democracy by excluding the president. Construction of the building is part of a Central […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":333354,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-333332","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n