The Union Secretary mocked Congress by showing an old issue of Time magazine.
New Delhi:
Slamming opposition parties for boycotting the inauguration of the new parliament building and questioning the “Sengol” story, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that by doing this, the Congress party also opposes former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Speaking to ANI, the Union minister on Friday launched a jab at Congress by showing an old issue of Time magazine.
#SHOW | #NewParliamentBuilding: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri Says, “An article was published in the Time Magazine of America in 1947 and all who are protesting (against the inauguration of the new parliament building) should read this article and gain knowledge on what… pic.twitter.com/BZfmmU8LnU
— ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2023
“This is the August 25, 1947, issue of Time magazine. I would like all of our friends who oppose the inauguration of the new Parliament building to read this article and get an idea of the symbolism of ‘Sengol’ and what which happened in 1947. By making this drama, they (the opposition) are also opposing their own leader Jawaharlal Nehru,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi will dedicate the new parliament building to the country on May 28.
“Sengol”, which marked the symbol of the transfer of power from the British to India, will be kept as a heritage in the new parliament building.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the decision to adopt the Sengol as the national symbol of the Amrit Kaal. The new parliament building will witness the same event, with the Adheenam (priests) rehearsing the ceremony and bestowing the Prime Minister on the Sengol.
The same 1947 Sengol will be installed by the Prime Minister in the Lok Sabha, prominently displayed near the President’s podium. It will be displayed for the Nation to see and released on special occasions.
Notably, at least 21 opposition parties have decided to boycott the Prime Minister’s decision to preside over the inauguration ceremony in place of President Draupadi Murmu.
The opposition said the inauguration of the building without President Draupadi Murmu “insults the high office of the president and violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution”.
Meanwhile, amid the boycott call from the opposition, the Center has received a confirmed list of 25 political parties, including some that are not part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), that will take part in the inauguration ceremony.
Besides the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), several NDA parties including AIADMK, Apna Dal, Republican Party of India, Shinde faction of Shiv Sena, NPP and NPF have confirmed their attendance at the ceremony on Sunday.
Several neutral parties, including Biju Janata Dal, TDP and YSRCP will also be present for the inauguration.
Among the opposition parties, Shiromani Akali Dal and Bahujan Samajwadi Party and JDS will attend the ceremony on Sunday.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)