Boycott of Parliament building inauguration insult to country: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel

GANDHINAGAR: Chief minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday criticized the decision of several opposition parties to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building, saying it was an insult to this great nation and an attack on the country's democratic values. PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new building on Sunday.
Opposition parties said the inauguration of the building by the PM amounts to "completely sidelining President Droupadi Murmu, which is not only a grave insult, but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response". They contend that President Murmu should do the honours as she is not only the head of state, but also an integral part of the Parliament as she summons, prorogues and addresses it.
CM Patel said the decision to boycott the inauguration ceremony is "highly condemnable".
"This decision is not only an insult to our great nation, it is also an attack on our country's democratic values as well as constitutional beliefs," he told reporters at Nadiad in Kheda district on the sidelines of an event.
He said the new Parliament building will definitely be inaugurated on May 28 despite the boycott calls by the opposition, he added. "The opposition parties violated parliamentary traditions and rules in the past too. They had boycotted a special session on GST. The opposition parties are in the habit of insulting democracy. When our President Droupadi Murmu was nominated for the post, the opposition parties had insulted her by registering their protest against her candidature," he said.