Congress MP Jairam Ramesh describes new Parliament building as ‘Modi Multiplex’; JP Nadda hits back: ‘pathetic mindset’

Slamming Ramesh over his remarks on the new Parliament building, BJP national president JP Nadda, in a social media post, said that the remarks amount to “an insult to the aspirations of 140 crore Indians,”  and reflects the Congress party’s ‘pathetic’ mindset.

The new Parliament building launched with so much hype actually realises the PM’s objectives very well. It should be called the Modi Multiplex or Modi Marriot. After four days, what I saw was the death of confabulations and conversations—both inside the two Houses and in the…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) September 23, 2023

“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,” Nadda wrote on X.

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.😀 https://t.co/QTVQxs4CIN

— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) September 23, 2023

One of the key concerns raised by the Congress MP is the lack of coziness and compactness in the halls of the new Parliament building, which he contends hinders effective communication and camaraderie among parliamentarians. Drawing a stark contrast with the old building, he pointed out the difficulties faced in moving between Houses and the corridors within the new complex. Terming the new structure ‘claustrophobic’, he emphasised that the old building gave “a sense of space and openness.”

Further, he stated that in the old building, “if you were lost, you would find your way back again since it was circular. In the new building, if you lose your way, you are lost in a maze.”

“Binoculars are needed to see each other since the halls are simply not cozy or compact. The old Parliament building not only had a certain aura but it facilitated conversations. It was easy to walk between Houses, the Central Hall, and the corridors. This new one weakens the bonding needed to make the running of Parliament a success. Quick coordination between the two Houses is now exceedingly cumbersome,” Ramesh added.

Additionally, he highlighted the absence of the “sheer joy of simply hanging out in Parliament,” a sentiment which he believes many of his colleagues from across party lines shared in the old building. Ramesh characterised the new complex as “painful and agonizing.”

The Congress MP also brought attention to the concerns of the Secretariat staff, stating that the new building’s design did not adequately consider the functionalities required to facilitate their work. He attributed these issues to a lack of consultation with the people who would be using the building.

#WATCH | On Congress MP Jairam Ramesh’s tweet on the New Parliament building, RSS Leader Indresh Kumar says, “The new Parliament is a truth… Is Jairam Ramesh trying to say that they will build a new Parliament as he didn’t say that he will go back to the old Parliament…I will… pic.twitter.com/i33Wbw1Dml

— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2023

“I have also heard from the staff in the Secretariat that the design of the new building has not considered the various functionalities required to help them do their work. This is what happens when no consultations are done with the people who will use the building,” he said.

In conclusion, the Congress MP took a dig at the Central government saying that “perhaps a better use for the new Parliament building will be found after regime change in 2024.”