Indian opposition parties unite in boycotting inauguration of new parliament building
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy At least 19 Indian opposition political parties on Wednesday announced that they would boycott the inauguration of a new parliament building by Narendra Modi, accusing the prime minister of “sidelining” Droupadi Murmu, India’s head of state. The opposition parties across the country criticised the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party government's decision to exclude President Murmu from the inauguration on 28 May. The federal government defended the move, arguing that the parliament building was showing "signs of distress and over-utilisation” and “was not able to meet the current requirements in terms of space, amenities and technology".