NEW DELHI (AP) 鈥 Indian lawmakers sat in the last session before moving to a new Parliament building, responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi鈥檚 call Monday that saw him lauding India鈥檚 parliamentary history and the recently concluded Group of 20 summit.
Major opposition parties in May calling it extravagant, in a rare show of unity against Modi's Hindu nationalist ruling party, which has governed for nine years and is seeking a third term in next year鈥檚 elections.
The new triangular-shaped building was built at an estimated cost of $120 million. It's part of a $2.8 billion revamp of British-era offices and residences in central New Delhi that will also include blocks of buildings for government ministries and departments, as well as Modi鈥檚 new private residence. The entire project, called the 鈥淐entral Vista,鈥 is spread over 3.2 kilometers (1.9 miles).
The lawmakers will move into the new building on Tuesday, Speaker Om Birla said.
In his speech in the lower house, Modi feted his government for the G20 summit that saw on major global issues. He emphasized India鈥檚 role in the and spoke about last month鈥檚 that saw the country landing a spacecraft near the moon鈥檚 south pole.
鈥淚ndia鈥檚 power ensured consensus on G20 declaration,鈥 Modi said.
Modi also spoke about Parliament鈥檚 history and some of his government鈥檚 major decisions that were taken in the House.
The announcement of the five-day special session last month was criticized by the opposition lawmakers, who said the Modi government had not made its parliamentary agenda public. Last week the government released a 鈥渢entative list" that mentioned four bills, including a controversial measure that is expected to change how India鈥檚 chief election officer is appointed.
The new building sits just across from the old Parliament, a circular structure designed by British architects in the early 20th century. The new four-story building has a total of 1,272 seats in two chambers, almost 500 more than the previous one.
