Congress wants 'better use of parliament', BJP says return 1 Safdarjung

The Congress on Saturday criticised the architecture of the new Parliament building, saying better use should be found for the building if there is a regime change in 2024. The BJP shot back by promptly demanding surrender of the Indira Gandhi Memorial, reasoning that there is now a museum for all prime ministers.

Congress spokesman Jairam Ramesh alleged that the architecture of the new Parliament building is an example of how "architecture can kill democracy". He also said there should be a move back to the old Parliament if there's a change of government.

"The new Parliament building launched with so much hype actually realises the PM's objectives very well. If architecture can kill democracy, the PM has already succeeded even without rewriting the Constitution," Ramesh said in a post on X. "Perhaps a better use for the new Parliament building will be found after regime change in 2024."


Responding to Ramesh's post, Union minister Giriraj Singh said on X, "I demand that the dynastic dens all over India need to be assessed and rationalised. For starters, the 1, Safdarjung Road complex be immediately transferred back to the Government of India considering all Prime Ministers have their space at the PM Museum now."

As PM Indira Gandhi used to reside in 1, Safdarjung Road and she was killed in the same complex. The place has been converted into her memorial.

The BJP's national president JP Nadda reacted to Ramesh's post saying it reflected the "pathetic mindset" of the Congress. "Even by the lowest standards of the Congress Party, this is a pathetic mindset. This is nothing but an insult to the aspirations of 140 crore Indians. In any case, this isn't the first time Congress is anti-Parliament. They tried in 1975 and it failed miserably," he said on X.

Union minister Piyush Goyal slammed "Congress refusal" to embrace progressive change. "This disdain for the new Parliament building reflects the dynasty's reluctance to embrace progressive change and their obsession with keeping partisan politics above the nation," he said in a post on X.