With the Opposition objecting to the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for May 28, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri criticised Congress leaders for raking up the issue and selectively quoting articles in support of its arguments.

The basic grouse of the Congress has been that the new Parliament should have been inaugurated by the President of the country and not the Prime Minister. As per the programme put out by the government, the grand opening will follow the format of the groundbreaking ceremony in 2020 and will have Lok Sabha  Speaker Om Birla apart from PM Modi.

Ahead of the opening, hymn chanting, a havan, and a puja will be performed to commemorate it. The main programme is set to begin at 11.30 am and the rituals from early on. The Opposition has vowed to boycott the ceremony and questioned why the President was not inaugurating the new Parliament building while the Centre races against the clock to finish the preparation.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed in a tweet that it appears the Modi Government has ensured the election of the President of India from Dalit and tribal communities only for electoral reasons. He recalled that former President Ram Nath Kovind had not been invited for the new Parliament foundation-laying ceremony and President Droupadi Murmu has not been invited for the inauguration of the new Parliament building.

The senior Rajya Sabha MP reminded everyone that the President of India is the country’s highest constitutional authority and the Parliament is its highest legislative body. President Murmu is the sole representative of the government, the opposition, and every citizen, he noted.

In his reaction to tweets by Kharge, Manish Tewari and Shashi Tharoor, Union Minister Puri said the Congress leaders should desist from such behaviour and celebrate the opening of the new Parliament building. He charged that the Congress leaders were unable to appreciate the fact that the country needed a larger Parliament and did nothing to get it done, but now since it was getting done, they were protesting against it.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to meet West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata today.

The meeting will take place at Nabanna, the state secretariat in Kolkata at around 2 pm.

The AAP leader is likely to seek support of Banerjee in his fight against the ordinance, recently moved by the Centre.

The meeting comes just three days after Kejriwal said he would approach all the opposition leaders across the country for their support in his stand against the Centre.

Kejriwal on Saturday during a press conference in Delhi said he he will firmly fight against the Union government’s decision and would hold meetings with the leaders of various opposition parties to ask them for their support and vote against the bill, if introduced by Centre in Rajya Sabha.

The Narendra Modi led Union government on Friday, had moved an Ordinance issued by the President of India to negate the Supreme Court judgement which was passed in favour of the Delhi government giving the power on its hands in matters of transfer and postings of government officials.

Arvind Kejriwal also met his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar, who had flown to Delhi, where he met Kejriwal and extended his support to Kejriwal in his fight.

Kejriwal said he appealed Kumar who is meeting various opposition party leaders, to make his point before the leaders and bring them together in his movement against the ordinance.

Kejriwal earlier said, if all the opposition leaders unite together and defeat this bill in Rajya Sabha then it will be semi-final of 2024 general elections.

Bihar Deputy CM and RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav had also accompanied Kumar to Kejriwal’s residence and Yadav also assured Kejriwal his party’s support in this.

Congress, which despite the talks of opposition unity to fight against the BJP do not appear to be in good terms with the Aam Aadmi Party, on Monday, agreed that the Centre’s step (referring to ordinance) is defying the Supreme Court judgement but they would take a collective decision on whether they should stand with AAP or not.

During his official visit to Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a special lunch where the star ingredient showcased the unique culinary heritage of the region. The lunch, held in Port Moresby, featured the exotic fruit, ‘pitaya’ or dragon fruit, as a prominent ingredient in the menu, highlighting the growing importance of international culinary exchanges and cultural diplomacy.

The lunch, was attended by the leaders attending the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Papua New Guinea . Dragon fruit, which is native to Central America but is now widely cultivated in various parts of the world, including Papua New Guinea, was the focal point of the menu.

The menu showcased a range of dishes that incorporated the vibrant and flavorful dragon fruit. From refreshing salads to innovative desserts, each dish was meticulously prepared to highlight the fruit’s unique texture and taste. The inclusion of dragon fruit in the menu not only added a visual appeal but also symbolized the diversity and richness of the culinary traditions in both India and Papua New Guinea.

Prime Minister Modi, known for his emphasis on cultural diplomacy, acknowledged the importance of food as a powerful medium for strengthening bonds between nations. He highlighted the significance of showcasing the diverse cuisines and culinary traditions as a means to deepen understanding and appreciation of different cultures.

The inclusion of dragon fruit in the lunch menu also reflected the growing popularity of this exotic fruit in various global cuisines. Dragon fruit has gained recognition for its nutritional value, vibrant colour, and distinct flavour, making it a favourite ingredient among chefs and food enthusiasts. The special lunch hosted by Prime Minister Modi in Papua New Guinea served as a platform to celebrate the fusion of Indian and Papua New Guinean culinary traditions. It provided an opportunity for the dignitaries and officials to engage in cultural exchange and foster a deeper understanding of each other’s heritage.