Who's calling him? Fadnavis on Uddhav's decision to skip inauguration of new Parliament building

May 25,2023

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday slammed Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for not attending the inauguration of the new Parliament building, asking "who is calling him?"

While speaking to reporters at an event in Mumbai, Fadnavis said, "Who is calling Uddhav Thackeray to Loksabha or for inauguration? When he was given responsibility, he did not go to office for two months. These people do not believe in democracy." 

"They cannot digest or believe that in 2019 it was Modi ji who laid the foundation stone of the new Parliament building and now he will inaugurate it. Indira Gandhi had inaugurated the building, Rajiv Gandhi had laid the foundation stone. That time they did not raise their voices. Now they have a stomach ache. People are with Modiji," Fadnavis said.

The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader also reacted to Uddhav Thackeray's meeting with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal. "I won't comment much but I will say saapnath ko nagnath mil gaya. It doesn't matter," Fadnavis said.

Delhi chief minister and his party leader met Thackeray at the latter's residence 'Matoshri' in Mumbai to seek support for the AAP's fight against the ordinance.

Shiv Sena (UBT), AAP and 17 other political parties came together and announced their decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying they find no value in a new building when the "soul of democracy has been sucked out".

"Prime Minister Modi's decision to inaugurate the new Parliament building by himself, completely sidelining President Droupadi Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response," a joint statement by opposition parties read.

"When the soul of democracy has been sucked out from Parliament, we find no value in a new building. We announce our collective decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building," it added.

PM Modi will inaugurate the new Parliament building on May 28 following an invitation by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.