Narendra Modi will be sworn in as the Prime Minister of the country for a second term today, at 7PM at Rashtrapati Bhavan along with his council of ministers. President Ram Nath Kovind will administer the oath. The most important event in a democracy, a number of national and international dignitaries will be attending the ceremony, with great honour. The dignitary list includes Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, along with foreign dignitaries such as President of Myanmar U Win Myint, Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, President of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli. However, there are certain Indian leaders who have refused to attend the ceremony, the refusal no doubt arising from their petty issues.
Topping the list of non-attendees is TMC leader Mamata Banerjee. She has refused to attend the ceremony as according to her, BJP tried to earn political points by telling the media that 54 of its workers were killed in political violence in West Bengal.
The oath-taking ceremony is an august occasion to celebrate democracy, not one that should be devalued by any political party pic.twitter.com/Mznq0xN11Q
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 29, 2019
Kerala Chief Minister, the only state with a CM from the left, Pinarayi Vijayan, will not attend the ceremony as well. According to the officials in his office, he has already scheduled party programs due to which he cannot make time for the swearing-in ceremony.
DMK Chief Stalin, who was in an alliance with the Congress in Tamil Nadu for the Lok Sabha elections, would not be attending the ceremony. Although, according to sources, he is likely to send his MPs TR Baalu and A Raja to the swearing-in function.
Apart from the mentioned leaders, all Congress Chief Ministers of various states would not be attending the swearing-in ceremony. This includes, Amarinder Singh, Ashok Gehlot, Kamal Nath, and Bhupesh Baghel.
According to the Punjab CMO, CM Amarinder Singh would not be attending the ceremony as there are no plans of him flying to Delhi. No reason has been stated for this.
Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, who was elected in 2018, has said he won’t be able to attend the ceremony as he had made prior plans. He would be touring Bastar for two days, beginning today.
Officials in Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot’s office said the CM is likely to miss the event as no arrangements for his travel had been made.
Madhya Pradesh CM, Kamal Nath said he had several engagements in the state capital due to which he would not be attending the ceremony. However, there are speculations that Congress leadership had asked him to stay put in Bhopal. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, five key persons connected to Kamal Nath faced search operations by the I-T department.
Congress chief minister of Puducherry, V. Narayanasamy has also been reported to not attend the ceremony.
The swearing in ceremony is a very prestigious event and to be invited itself is a great honour. The leaders from all the friendly neighboring countries are going to grace the event with their presence. It is disgraceful that our own leaders could not make the time to be a part of this national event.