New Delhi, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has openly criticized the new parliament building in India, describing it as a “five-star jail” that impedes the work of legislators. His remarks come amid growing discontent with the current parliamentary setup under the Modi government.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Raut, a Member of Parliament from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction), expressed his dissatisfaction with the functionality of the Central Vista, the location of the new parliament building in New Delhi. He argued that the new premises are not conducive to productive work or comfortable seating for parliamentarians.

Raut also voiced his party’s resolve to return parliamentary sessions to the old building should the opposition INDIA bloc come to power in the forthcoming general elections. The new parliament, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2023, was built at an expense of INR 971 crore and designed to accommodate a larger number of members. Despite its capacity to house 888 members in the Lok Sabha and 300 in the Rajya Sabha, the transition has not been smooth, with several MPs raising concerns over visibility issues within the chamber.

In addition to his critique of the parliamentary building, Raut took a jab at Modi’s electoral ambitions for the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, suggesting that the Prime Minister aim for a more ambitious target than the “400 mark.”

Raut’s commentary also extended to the plight of farmers, highlighting the increasing suicide rates among this demographic and questioning the government’s stance on the farmers’ protests at Delhi’s borders. He underscored the injuries sustained by hundreds of farmers in their attempts to protest, emphasizing the need for a more empathetic approach towards their grievances.

These statements underscore the ongoing tensions between the opposition and the ruling BJP, highlighting critical issues of governance, infrastructure, and social justice in the lead-up to the national elections.