Constitution Day: PM Modi's 'party for the family, by the family' swipe

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday took a swipe at the Congress and other "family centric" political parties.

Speaking at the Parliament Central Hall on the occasion of the Constitution Day, PM Modi said that parties controlled by families are anti-thetical to democracy and ideals of our Constitution.

"Party for the family, by the family... do I need to say more? If a party is run by one family for many generations, then, it isn't good for a healthy democracy," the PM said during his address on #ConstitutionDay.

Fourteen opposition parties - including the Congress and the Trinamool Congress - skipped the Constitution Day event today in the parliament as they present a united front ahead of the start of the winter session next week.

Shiv Sena, NCP, DMK, RJD, and Left also did not attend the key event ahead of the winter session, which starts Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla were in attendance at the event in Central Hall this morning.

The Central government slammed the Opposition boycott calling it an insult to the Constitution.

The PM said that the event was not of a Prime Minister or a government, but it was organised by the Lok Sabha Speaker.

"Congress & 14 Opposition parties boycotting the Constitution Day celebrations in Parliament is disrespect to the Constitution of India. This proves that Congress can only respect leaders from the Nehru family and no other leader including BR Ambedkar," Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said.