The Congress on Tuesday asserted that the Central Vista construction and beautification project in the capital was not a “legalistic” issue but a case of “misplaced priorities of a whimsical autocrat”.

The Opposition party iterated its position that precious national resources should not be wasted on a “vanity” project at a time when the country was grappling with its first-ever economic recession and a pandemic that has scarred the world.

After the Supreme Court cleared the project on legal grounds on Tuesday, Congress communications chief Randeep Surjewala tweeted: “The Rs 13,450-crore Central Vista project is not a legalistic issue but a case of misplaced priorities of a whimsical autocrat seeking to etch his name in the annals of history with cement & mortar. Ironical that in times of the corona pandemic and economic recession, Delhi has Rs 14,000 crore for Central Vista & Rs 8,000 crore for buying aircraft for the Prime Minister.”

Surjewala added: “But the same BJP government imposes cuts of Rs 37,530 crore in allowances of 113 lakh armed forces & central government employees & pensioners. The Prime Minister must not forget that he has imposed cuts of Rs 11,000 crore on 15 lakh soldiers & 26 lakh military pensioners. And the same BJP government at the Centre has no time to provide ‘heated tents and equipment’ to our soldiers braving brazen Chinese incursions in Ladakh.”

The Congress’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, Anand Sharma, said in a series of tweets: “We are living in strange times. No relief for the migrant labour, no justice for India’s farmers fighting for their rights in bitter cold, pouring rain, tear gas and braving lathis.

“As we approach Republic Day, need to reflect on the state of the republic. Saddened by the Supreme Court endorsement of the government’s misplaced priorities during the pandemic and clearing the Central Vista project — an unnecessary and colossal waste of public money. Grand buildings of brick and mortar do not strengthen parliamentary democracy but only a healthy functioning Parliament that upholds the Constitution and defends citizens’ rights.”

The Congress has for the past few months repeatedly raised objections to the project, arguing that the priority should be to provide financial assistance to the poor, migrant workers, and small and medium enterprises that have been devastated by the lockdown.

Along with economists and independent observers, the Congress has demanded a cash inflow into the system to rev up economic activity at a time recovery has been erratic and slow.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi a few months ago, demanding suspension of the Central Vista project, along with other austerity measures to cut wasteful expenditure. The letter was in response to the Prime Minister’s telephone conversation with her in which he sought suggestions on how to deal with the coronavirus pandemic and the resultant financial stress.

Sonia had written: “Suspend the Rs 20,000-crore Central Vista beautification and construction project forthwith. At a time like this, such an outlay seems self-indulgent to say the least. I am certain that Parliament can function comfortably within the existing historical buildings.”

“There is no urgent or pressing requirement that cannot be postponed until this crisis is contained. This sum could instead be allocated towards constructing new hospital infrastructure and diagnostics along with equipping our frontline workers with personal protection equipment (PPEs) and better facilities.”

Although her suggestions fell on deaf ears, Sonia had tried to exert moral pressure on Modi by saying: “Every single Indian has made great personal sacrifices to fight this disease. They have complied with every suggestion, instruction and decision taken by your office and the central government. It is time that the legislature and the executive reciprocate this trust and good faith.”

The Modi government has even suspended MPLAD (MP local area development) funds for two years in view of a financial crunch, triggering widespread discontent among parliamentarians as it has affected work in their constituencies.

After the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Parliament building under the Central Vista project a few days ago, Surjewala had said: “Dear Prime Minister, Parliament is nt mortar & stones. It envisions democracy, it imbibes the Constitution, it is economic-political-social equality. It is compassion & camaraderie. It is the aspirations of 130 crore Indians. What would a building built upon trampling of these values represent?

“Modi ji, history will record that when lakhs of farmers were fighting on the streets for their rights, you were building a palace for yourself in the garb of the Central Vista project. In a democracy, power is not for fulfilling personal whims but a medium of public service and welfare.”

Former Union minister Jairam Ramesh had commented on the government’s rigidity in proceeding with the project despite difficult times, saying: “It is not just insensitive but obscene to be thinking of the new Central Vista project now. It should be put on hold indefinitely. There are more pressing uses for the thousands of crores of rupees that will be spent to satisfy one man’s ego.”