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Tamil film star-turned-politician Kamal Haasan took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi questioning him over the need for a new parliament building for which the PM laid the foundation stone recently.
The veteran actor and founder of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) on Sunday, December 13, questioned the massive financial indulgence at a time "when half of India is starving due to coronavirus pandemic."
"Thousands of people died in the construction of the Great Wall of China. The kings said that this wall was to protect the people. When half of India is starving after losing its livelihood due to the Corona, who will build a parliament worth Rs 1,000 crore?" Haasan tweeted.
On December 10, PM Modi performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the new parliament building, which is part of the Central Vista redevelopment project in the national capital. PM Modi described the event as a milestone in India's democratic history and said that the building will become the symbol of a 21st century nation and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
The Rs 1000 crore parliament building, spread over 64,500 square metres, will be rebuilt by Tata Projects Limited that won the bid.
The construction of the building, however, cannot start for now since the Supreme Court is hearing petitions challenging the project. Last week, the top court had accused the centre of "pushing forward aggressively" with the project ahead of the court's decision.
The project is expected to be completed by 2022.
Haasan's attack on the project came hours before the launch of the first phase of his poll campaign from Madurai. Talking about his own party's priorities, Haasan said: "Tamil Nadu remains degenerated. We would set it right. We are launching our campaign complying with government norms."
Also Read: PM Modi Performs Groundbreaking Ceremony For New Parliament: 10 Points
