The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has decided to abstain from attending Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, according to Sudip Bandyopadhyay, the party’s leader in the Lok Sabha. Despite receiving an invitation from BJP leader Prahlad Joshi, the TMC has chosen to decline. “BJP leader Prahlad Joshi had called and invited us to attend the swearing-in ceremony, but our party has decided not to participate,” Bandyopadhyay stated.
TMC chief Mamata Banerjee had earlier announced the party’s decision, emphasizing that they had neither received an invitation nor planned to attend the ceremony. “Neither have we received an invitation nor are we attending it,” she said. The swearing-in ceremony for Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to take place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7.15 pm on Sunday. Prior to the event, those who will be part of the new council of ministers are expected to attend a tea party at the Prime Minister’s residence.
Among those speculated to receive ministerial positions is Santanu Thakur, one of the 12 BJP MPs from West Bengal. Thakur, who previously served as the minister of state for ports, shipping, and waterways, has not confirmed whether he will be attending the tea party. Sources suggest he is a strong candidate for a ministerial berth.
In a closed-door meeting with her MPs, Mamata Banerjee expressed skepticism about the longevity of the newly formed NDA government. “Mamata Didi told us that she is confident that with BJP not getting the majority mark, the NDA government won’t last long,” a senior TMC leader present at the meeting revealed. Banerjee’s comments reflect a broader sentiment within the TMC that the current political dynamics could lead to instability within the ruling coalition.
This decision by the TMC to skip the ceremony underscores the ongoing political tensions and the party’s opposition stance. It also highlights the strategic calculations being made by various political entities in response to the recent election results. The TMC’s absence from such a high-profile event is a clear signal of their discontent with the current political climate and their skepticism about the future stability of the NDA government.
As the new government prepares to take office, these developments add to the complex and evolving political landscape in India. The coming days will likely see further maneuvering and positioning by different political players as they navigate the post-election environment.
