Congress on Thursday reiterated its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said 'it is one man's ego for self-promotion' that has denied President Droupadi Murmu her Constitutional privilege to inaugurate the new Parliament House on May 28.

In a tweet, Congress General secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "Yesterday, President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the country's largest judicial campus at the Jharkhand High Court complex in Ranchi. It is one man's ego and desire for self-promotion that has denied the first Adivasi woman President her Constitutional privilege to inaugurate the new Parliament building in New Delhi on May 28th. Ashoka the Great, Akbar the Great, Modi the Inaugrate."

New Delhi: Congress senior leader Jairam Ramesh
New Delhi: Congress senior leader Jairam RameshIANS

Murmu, who is on a visit to Jharkhand on Wednesday, inaugurated the new building of the High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi.

The fresh potshot by the Congress comes a day after the 19 like-minded parties, including the grand old party, announced to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Modi on May 28.

The opposition parties in a joint statement said, "When the soul of democracy has been sucked out from the Parliament, we find no value in a new building and announce our collective decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building".

President of India Droupadi Murmu
President of India Droupadi Murmu interacting with members of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of Jharkhand at Raj Bhavan, in Ranchi on May 24, 2023.PIB

A war of words has erupted between the Congress and BJP over the inauguration of New Parliament House by PM Modi on May 28.

The YSRCP and the BJD on Wednesday announced their participation in the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building.

The NDA in a statement slammed the opposition parties saying the decision to boycott the inauguration was a "blatant affront to democratic ethos and constitutional values of our great nation".

What Modi said on Oppn boycott

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday slammed the opposition parties for their announcement to boycott the inauguration of new Parliament House on May 28 listing his accomplishments during the three-nation tour by him.

Addressing the party workers in Delhi after his arrival from three nation tour of Japan, Papua New Guinea and Australia, PM Modi said, "You all will be happy to know that Australian Prime Minister (Anthony Albanese) attended the Indian Community programme which is a matter of pride for us... This is the strength of democracy."

Indian Prime Minister Modi welcomed by diaspora in Sydney, Australia

The Prime Minister's remarks came a day after the 19 opposition parties, including Congress, decided to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building by him on May 28.

On Wednesday, the 19 like-minded parties in a joint statement said, "When the soul of democracy has been sucked out from the Parliament, we find no value in a new building and announce our collective decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building".

A war of words erupted between the Congress and BJP over the inauguration of the new Parliament House by PM Modi on May 28. In response, Modi said, "I want to tell you that while speaking about the culture and great tradition of India, never get immersed in slavery mentality and speak with courage."

He also said that whatever time he could avail during his three-day trip to Australia, he utilised it in the best possible way for the good of the nation, for taking the best possible decisions for the nation.

(With inputs from IANS)