Amid the ongoing calls by the Opposition parties, including the Congress, to boycott the new Parliament building inauguration ceremony, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha has cleared its stance and announced that it will attend the event.
In a press note, the BJD announced that the party will attend the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament House in New Delhi on May 28.
In a statement, BJD's national spokesperson, Sasmit Patra said the President of India is the head of the state and the Parliament represents the 1.4 billion people of the country.
"Both the institutions are symbols of Indian democracy and draw their authority from the Constitution of India. Their authority and stature should always be safeguarded," he said.
"BJD believes that these constitutional institutions should be above any issue which may affect their sanctity and honour. Such issues can always be debated later in the Parliament. Hence, the BJD will be a part of this momentous occasion," Patra said.
Notably, 19 Opposition parties, including the Congress and many regional parties, have issued a joint statement saying that they will boycott the inaugural event.
They are demanding that President Droupadi Murmu should inaugurate the new Parliament building, and not the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy urged all political parties attend the event setting all political differences aside.
Taking to Twitter, Andhra CM wrote, "I congratulate @narendramodi ji for dedicating the grand, majestic and spacious Parliament building to the nation. Parliament, being the temple of democracy, reflects our nation's soul and belongs to the people of our country and all the political parties. Boycotting such an auspicious event is not in the true spirit of democracy. Setting aside all political differences, I request that all political parties attend this glorious event. In the true spirit of democracy, my party will attend this historic event."