New parliament was need of the hour, it marks India's determination: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the new parliament building is a reflection of aspirations and dreams of 140 crore Indians.

Modi said 'this temple of democracy gives the message of India's determination to the world'.

Making his first speech in the new parliament, which he inaugurated earlier in the day, Modi said: "In every country's development, there are moments like these which become historic. And when India is celebrating 'Azadi ka Amrit Kaal', the people of India have gifted its democracy a new parliament House."

Modi added: "This is not just a building. It is a reflection of the aspirations and dreams of 140 crore Indians. This is the temple of our democracy giving the message of India's determination to the world."

He pointed out that the new building will witness the rise of a self-reliant India.

"There was a need for a new parliament. We also have to see that the number of seats and MPs will increase in the coming time. That's why it was need of the hour...," the Prime Minister pointed out rubbishing the criticism over the new building.

On the installation of the historic 'Sengol' in the Lok Sabha chamber, Modi said: "Whenever proceedings begin in this parliament House, Sengol will continue to inspire us all. In the Chola dynasty, Sengol symbolised justice, righteousness and good governance"

Modi said that our democracy is our inspiration and our Constitution is our resolve. "The best representative of this inspiration, this resolution, is our Parliament," he said.

He asserted that when India moves forward, the world moves forward. "This new building of the Parliament will call for the development of the world along with the development of India," he said.

Twenty opposition parties have boycotted the inauguration of the new Parliament building accusing the BJP of not inviting President Droupadi Murmu and citing it as an insult to the first citizen of the country.

Meanwhile, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi described Parliament as the voice of the people and slammed the Prime Minister for inaugurating the new Parliament House building saying that he is considering the inauguration as a coronation.

(With agency inputs)

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