Jairam Ramesh, the communications in-charge for the Congress, claimed that the new Parliament structure should be known as a “Modi Multiplex or Modi Marriot.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi was attacked by the Congress on Saturday over the design of the new Parliament building, claiming that it has stifled debate and democracy. The ruling party responded angrily, claiming that the criticisms are an insult to the aspirations of 140 crore Indians.

Jairam Ramesh, the general secretary in charge of communications for the Congress, claimed that the new Parliament structure should be known as a “Modi Multiplex or Modi Marriot.” Following a political change in 2024, Ramesh wrote on X, “Perhaps a better use for the new Parliament building will be found.” “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 lobbies. If architecture can kill democracy, the PM has already succeeded even without rewriting the Constitution,” Ramesh stated.

BJP President J P Nadda responded by saying, “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 also stated on X. Additionally, Ramesh claimed that because the halls in the new Parliament building are so large and open, people must use binoculars to see one another. “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,” he claimed.

The leader of the Congress claimed that rapid cooperation between the two Houses is currently extremely difficult. “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. The old building gave you a sense of space and openness while the new one is almost claustrophobic. “The sheer joy of simply hanging out in Parliament has disappeared. I used to look forward to going to the old building. The new complex is painful and agonising. I am sure many of my colleagues across party lines feel the same,” he said. 

Ramesh asserted that he had also been informed by Secretariat workers that the numerous functionalities needed to support their work had not been taken into account in the design of the new building. “This is what happens when no consultations are done with the people who will use the building,” he said. The construction of the new Parliament building started during the COVID-19 times. From September 19, on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, it became operational during the Special Session of the Parliament, which saw the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill.