New Delhi/UNI: Stepping up its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress on Thursday said it is one man's "ego" and desire for "self-promotion" that has denied President Droupadi Murmu to inaugurate the new Parliament building.

"Yesterday, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the country's largest judicial campus at the Jharkhand High Court complex in Ranchi.

"It is one man's 'ego' and desire for "self-promotion" that has denied the first Adivasi woman President her Constitutional privilege to inaugurate the new Parliament building in New Delhi on May 28," said Congress general secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh in a tweet, in a veiled attack on the PM.

He added, "Ashoka the great, Akbar the great, Modi the inaugurate."

On Wednesday, as many as 19 Opposition parties including Congress announced to "boycott" the inauguration of the new Parliament building by PM, instead of President.

"The inauguration of a new Parliament building is a momentous occasion. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to inaugurate the new Parliament building by himself, completely sidelining President Murmu, is not only a grave 'insult' but a direct 'assault' on our democracy which demands a commensurate response," the Opposition parties had said in a statement.

On December 10, 2020, the foundation stone of the new building of Parliament was laid by Modi.