The opposition and the government are engaged in a heated dispute over the government's assertion that the use of the 'Sengol' symbolizes the transfer of power. The controversy arose when the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced plans to incorporate the 'Sengol' sceptre, a historical Tamil artifact representing the transfer of power, during the inauguration of the new Parliament building. Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, and the Congress party criticized the BJP's decision, questioning the party's interpretation of the 'Sengol' and accusing them of accepting defeat in the upcoming general election.
Akhilesh Yadav insinuated that the use of the 'Sengol' implied the BJP's acknowledgment of their impending loss. He tweeted, "The 'Sengol' is a symbol of transfer of power... BJP seems to have accepted that the time has come to hand over power." The Congress leader expressed doubt about the ruling party's claims regarding the 'Sengol' and criticized them for incorporating false narratives in the inauguration of the new Parliament.
In response, the BJP's Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amit Shah, and party leader JP Nadda retaliated. Shah accused the Congress of disrespecting Indian traditions and culture, pointing out that the 'Sengol' was given to Pandit Nehru by a Saivite Mutt from Tamil Nadu as a symbol of India's freedom but was later relegated to a museum. The home minister tweeted, "Now, Congress has heaped another shameful insult... Congress needs to reflect on their behavior."
Aside from the 'Sengol' controversy, the decision to have Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate the new Parliament has triggered opposition backlash. Almost two dozen opposition parties, including the Congress, Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool, Tamil Nadu's Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United), and Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party, announced their boycott of the ceremony. Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party joined the opposition's statement, criticizing the BJP for sidelining President Droupadi Murmu and considering it an insult to democracy.
In response to the boycott, BJP leaders, including Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, S Jaishankar, and Rajnath Singh, launched verbal attacks on the opposition. Rajnath Singh emphasized the distinction between a Constitutional session of Parliament and a social gathering, noting that the event was not a session. Furthermore, the Supreme Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a lawyer seeking direction to invite President Murmu, asserting that the government's failure to do so did not disrespect the office of the President.
While several opposition parties have decided to boycott the inauguration, some opposition parties such as Odisha's Biju Janata Dal and Andhra Pradesh's YSR Congress, as well as former BJP ally Akali Dal, will attend. Notably, Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party from Uttar Pradesh, a rival of Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party, will also be present, although Mayawati herself will not attend the event.