Congress President and Rajya Sabha MP, Mallikarjun Kharge, has conveyed his inability to attend the ceremonial hoisting of the Tricolour at the New Parliament building on September 17. This decision is due to the scheduled meeting of the newly-constituted Congress Working Committee (CWC) taking place in Hyderabad over the weekend.
In a letter addressed to Rajya Sabha General Secretary, Pramod Chandra Mody, Kharge expressed that the invitation had reached him rather late. He cited prior commitments related to the pre-arranged CWC meeting in Hyderabad, making it impractical for him to participate in the morning event on September 17 upon his return to Delhi.
Kharge conveyed his disappointment at receiving the invite for the flag-hoisting event only on the evening of September 15, leaving him with insufficient time to adjust his plans.
The flag-hoisting ceremony is scheduled a day ahead of the special session of Parliament, set to take place from September 18 to 22, coinciding with the occasion of Vishwakarma Puja. Interestingly, September 17 also marks Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday.
Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar, will be responsible for hoisting the national flag at the new Parliament building on Sunday.
The special session will commence at the old Parliament premises and then transition to the new building, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on May 28. This marks the first session to be held in the New Parliament building.