Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said the newly constructed Parliament building should be inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu as she is the highest Constitutional authority and first citizen of the country.
The statement of the Congress president comes a day after former party chief Rahul Gandhi said the new Parliament building should be inaugurated by President instead of Prime Minister.
“Inauguration of the new Parliament building by the President will symbolise government’s commitment to democratic values and Constitutional propriety,” Kharge said in a statement.
He said, “The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body of the Republic of India, and the President of India is its highest Constitutional authority. She (Murmu) alone represents government, opposition, and every citizen alike.
She is the First Citizen of India. “
Accusing the BJP-led government of not inviting the President, Kharge said, “It looks like the Modi government has ensured election of President of India from the Dalit and the Tribal communities only for electoral reasons. “
“While former President, Ram Nath Kovind was not invited for the new Parliament foundation laying ceremony.
President of Droupadi Murmu is not being invited for the inauguration of the new Parliament building,” he said.
Kharge added, “The Modi government has repeatedly disrespected propriety.
The Office of the President of India is reduced to ‘tokenism’ under the BJP-RSS government. “
Earlier, the Lok Sabha Secretariat in a communique said that the PM will dedicate the new Parliament building to the nation on May 28.
On December 10, 2020, the foundation stone of the new building of Parliament was laid by Modi.
