“To divert attention…,” Kumaraswamy targets Congress for boycott of new Parliament building inauguration

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy has slammed the Congress for announcing a boycott of the new Parliament building’s inauguration ceremony, alleging that it was done as a diversionary tactic and to gain a few votes from a specific community.

He also alleged that the Congress party is only trying to gain a few votes from a section of people by opposing the Parliament inauguration. “Now, they (Congress) are showing a lot of respect and affection for the President. Why did they put a candidate against her? Now they are saying that they (BJP) are insulting Adivasis. All this is only to divert the people’s attention and gain votes from a section of the society,” said Kumaraswamy.

“All these are attempts to get a few votes from a certain community and even Congress is aware of its hypocrisy. I wanted to ask them if the boycott is only restricted to the inauguration or will they even boycott the parliament sessions in near future?” Kumaraswamy asked.

While the JD(S) will be present at the unveiling ceremony on May 28, Kumaraswamy stated that this does not imply that his party has a soft spot for the BJP. On May 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will dedicate the new Parliament building to the nation.

The JD(S) leader went on to say that the parliament building is not owned by any organisation or party.

“Today they (Congress) are boycotting in the future also they will not attend the parliament session. What will they do in the future?,” asked Kumaraswamy. He pointed out that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had laid the foundation of the Chhattisgarh assembly without inviting the then Governor.

“Even in Karnataka when this Vikas Soudha adjacent to Vidha Soudha, was inaugurated the Congress did not invite the then governor Rama Devi,” said Kumaraswamy.