"Affront To Democratic Ethos": Centre Slams Opposition On New Parliament Inauguration Boycott
NDTV
"Their actions today will echo through the annals of history, casting a long shadow over their legacy. We urge them to think about the nation and not individual political gains," the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance on Wednesday launched a sharp counterattack on Opposition parties for their decision to boycott the new Parliament building's inauguration, slamming their stand as a "blatant affront to democratic ethos and constitutional values of our great nation".
In a statement, leaders of 14 parties of the ruling alliance also implored the Opposition parties to reconsider their decision and said the people of India will not forget their "egregious insult to our democracy and to their elected representatives" if they stick to their stand.
"Their actions today will echo through the annals of history, casting a long shadow over their legacy. We urge them to think about the nation and not individual political gains," they said in the statement.
Noting that Parliament is a hallowed institution, the beating heart of India's democracy and the epicentre of decision-making that shapes and influences the lives of citizens, they said the Opposition's "flagrant disrespect" towards this institution betrays not only intellectual bankruptcy but a disturbing contempt for the very essence of democracy.
