President’s office reduced to tokenism under BJP-RSS govt: Mallikarjun Kharge

New Delhi: In a series of tweets on Monday, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the Narendra Modi-led Centre for not inviting President Draupadi Murmu for not inviting her to the inauguration of new Parliament building.

He said, “The Modi government has repeatedly disrespected propriety. The Office of the President of India is reduced to tokenism under the BJP-RSS Government.”

He accused the BJP-led central government of ensuring election of President from Dalit and Tribal commiuntiy for electoral reasons.

“It looks like the Modi Govt has ensured election of President of India from the Dalit and the Tribal communities only for electoral reasons. While Former President, Shri Kovind was not invited for the New Parliament foundation laying ceremony…,” said Kharge.

“The President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu is not being invited for the inauguration of the new Parliament Building. The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body of the Republic of India, and the President of India is its highest Constitutional authority,” he continued.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Kharge streesed that, “She (President Murmu) alone represents government, opposition, and every citizen alike. She is the First Citizen of India. Inauguration of the new Parliament building by her will symbolise Government’s commitment to Democratic values and Constitutional propriety.”

It looks like the Modi Govt has ensured election of President of India from the Dalit and the Tribal communities only for electoral reasons.

While Former President, Shri Kovind was not invited for the New Parliament foundation laying ceremony…

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— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) May 22, 2023

Rahul Gandhi on New Parliament Building 

Earlier on Sunday, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also said that the inauguration of the news Parliament should be done by President Draupadi Murmu instead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The President should inaugurate the new Parliament House, not the Prime Minister!,” wrote Gandhi in a Twitter post.

नए संसद भवन का उद्घाटन राष्ट्रपति जी को ही करना चाहिए, प्रधानमंत्री को नहीं!

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 21, 2023

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Modi govt completes 9 yrs on May 26, Inauguration on May 28 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new building of Parliament on May 28. The estimated cost of the four-storey building is Rs 970 crore.

The design for the triangular-shaped building with a built-up area of 64,500 square metreswas given by Ahmedabad-based HCP Design, Planning and Management, and constructed by Tata Projects Limited.

In comparision of the old Parliament building, the new one has a seating capacity of 888 for the Lok Sabha and 300 in the Rajya Sabha.

However, there is no Central Hall in the new Parliament. In such times, the joint sittings of both the Houses will be held in Lok Sabha that can felicitate 1,280 Members of Parliaments.

The inauguration ceremony is schduled for May 28 that is just two days after the Modi government will complete its 9 years in the Centre. PM Modi took oath on May 26, 2014.

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