Mamata Banerjee To Skip PM Narendra Modi's Swearing-In Ceremony Over Allegations of Political Violence in West Bengal
Mamata Banerjee decided not to attend PM Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony hours after the BJP said kins of its activists who were allegedly killed in political violence will attend the event as "special guest".
Kolkata, May 29: A day ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she won't attend the event in protest over media reports of alleged political violence in the state. Mamata Banerjee decided not to attend PM Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony hours after the BJP said kins of its activists who were allegedly killed in political violence will attend the event as "special guest".
"It was my plan to attend oath-taking ceremony, however in past one hour, I am seeing media reports that the BJP is claiming 54 people have been killed in political violence in Bengal. This is untrue. I am compelled not to attend the ceremony," the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief said. Earlier, Banerjee said she would attend Modi's oath-taking ceremony. In 2014, she did not attend Modi's swearing-in ceremony.
Banerjee apparently changed her mind after the BJP brought 70 family members of slain party activists to Delhi for Modi's oath-taking ceremony on Thursday. "The party has decided to take the family members of our activists, who were killed in widespread political violence unleashed by the Trinamool Congress, to attend Modiji's oath-taking ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. We have shortlisted 70 family members so far," BJP state Secretary Tushar Kanti Ghosh told IANS.
"It is an august occasion to celebrate democracy, not one that should be devalued any political party," the chief minister said. The invitation to these families is being seen as a message to Banerjee ahead of Assembly elections scheduled in 2021. The BJP won 303 seats on its own in the Lok Sabha elections, and in West Bengal, it took its tally to 18 from two in 2014. Arun Jaitley Writes To Narendra Modi, Says 'Request You Not to Induct Me In New Cabinet, Need to Concentrate On Health'.
Among the special guests at the event will be leaders from BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries and a host of celebrities and politicians.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 29, 2019 02:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).