Mallikarjun Kharge Not Invited for G20 Dinner: Hope, Bharat Has Not Reached a Stage Where Democracy, Opposition Will Cease To Exist, Says Congress Leader P Chidambaram

New Delhi, September 9: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday took a swipe at the government for not inviting Leader of Opposition (LoP) Mallikarjun Kharge for the G20 dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, saying this can happen only in countries where there is no democracy or no opposition and Bharat has not reached a stage where the democracy will cease to exist.

SIamming the government in a post on X, Chidambaram wrote, "I cannot imagine any other democratic country's government not inviting the recognised Leader of the Opposition to a state dinner for world leaders. This can happen only in countries where there is no Democracy or no Opposition." G20 Summit 2023 Begins at Bharat Mandapam: Check Full Schedule of Two-Day Mega Conclave in Delhi.

"I hope India, that is Bharat, has not reached a stage where Democracy and the Opposition will cease to exist," the former Union minister said. He made the remarks over Kharge, who is also the Congress President, and has not been invited for the dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. G20 Summit 2023: India's G20 Presidency is Symbol of 'Sabka Saath and Inclusivity', Says PM Narendra Modi as First Session of Summit Begins (Watch Video).

G20 Summit is to be held in New Delhi on September 9-10 under India's Presidency this year. Many dignitaries including US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida among others have arrived to participate in the summit.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 09, 2023 12:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).