Guwahati: On Constitution Day, 14 opposition parties, including the Congress and the Trinamool Congress, boycotted a celebration held in parliament on Friday, claiming the government was not abiding by the Constitution.
The Opposition’s decision to boycott the event is said to be in response to the Centre’s “disrespect,” “refusal” to listen to their requests, and “hurried passage of Bills” through the House.
The Opposition has set the stage for a tumultuous Winter Session of Parliament, which begins next Tuesday.
At its parliamentary strategy group meeting on November 25, Congress decided to boycott the event. On this, it also sought out the opposing parties. Trinamool Congress, the Left, the Samajwadi Party, the RJD, the Shiv Sena, the IUML, the DMK, the NCP, and others followed suit.
“This government does not respect the Constitution,” Manickam Tagore, a Congress MP, said of the centre.
“Many around the world believed that Indian democracy would not survive after Independence, yet here we are because of the Constitution that ties us “we the people of India”; no one should ever be permitted to dilute, weaken, or fail our Constitution,” stated Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill.
Meanwhile, the BJP blasted the opposition for boycotting the Constitution Day celebration at Parliament.