When the proceedings of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the day on Tuesday, the curtains came down on the Parliament Complex on as the Members of Parliament (MPs) would convene in the New Parliament Building on Wednesday for the remainder of the session.
The Parliament Complex that has been the 'temple of democracy' for over seven decades is set to become a heritage building and the New Parliament Complex, inaugurated earlier this year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is set to take its place.
The switch to the New Parliament Building is a key feature of the five-day Special Session of the Parliament that began on Monday. Amid speculations and uncertainty over the agenda of the session, parties across the spectrum have called for the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill that was first introduced in 2008.
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After Modi led the tributes to the parliament and the proceedings over the years, recalling historic moments of Indian parliamentary history from Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's "Tryst with destiny" speech to Atal Bihari Vajpayee's speeches, the proceedings of the house continued, which included discussions on the Parliament and the Opposition's charge against the Modi government.
Later in the day, the Lok Sabha was adjourned to be convened on Tuesday in the New Parliament Building at 1:15 pm and Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day to be convened tomorrow in the New Parliament Complex at 2:15 pm, reported PTI.
Before the Lower and the Upper Houses of the Parliament convene on Tuesday, all the MPs of both the houses will assemble for group photographs. Earlier, the report of group photographs would be taken during the Special Session sparked speculation that the Modi government could prepone the general elections as group photos are only taken as per the custom in the first and the last session of the Lok Sabha. It is now understood that the photos are to mark the switch to the New Parliament Complex.
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Along with the group photos, the MPs will participate in a function to commemorate the rich legacy of the Parliament of India and resolve to make India a developed nation by 2047 before they move to the new building, according to PTI.
"There would be three group photographs, first for all Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs, the second for Rajya Sabha MPs and the third for Lok Sabha MPs. Subsequently, all members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been requested to assemble in the Central Hall of Parliament at 11 am for a function to commemorate the rich legacy of the Parliament of India and resolve to make Bharat a developed nation by 2047," reported PTI, citing a government bulletin.
Earlier, Modi had said that the Special Session would witness "historic decisions". The statement came before Modi is expected to chair a Cabinet meeting in the evening.
The agenda of the Special Session is shrouded in secrecy and the uncertainty has given rise to speculations. For weeks, it has been speculated that the Modi government could bring key piece of legislation, like the Women's Reservation Bill or uniform civil code (UCC). The possible introduction of legislation related to 'one nation, one election' system or the preponement of general elections has also been part of the speculations.
