Preparations are in full swing for the forthcoming swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, scheduled for Sunday evening at the prestigious Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremony will be presided over by President Droupadi Murmu, who will administer the oath of office to the prime minister and other members of the Union Council of Ministers. While the specific allocation of ministerial portfolios remains undisclosed at this juncture, there is widespread anticipation that key ministries such as Home, Finance, Defence, and External Affairs may be retained by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the leading party within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, final details regarding portfolio distribution are expected to be unveiled alongside the announcement of the Union Council of Ministers.
Prime Minister Modi’s official election as the leader of the BJP-led NDA, following the coalition’s narrow victory in the recent Lok Sabha elections of 2024, was confirmed during a meeting of the alliance on Friday. Subsequently, he met with President Murmu to stake claim to form the government. The guest list for the swearing-in ceremony reflects India’s commitment to its “Neighbourhood First Policy,” with leaders from neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, and Seychelles among those invited to attend the event.
Given the high-profile nature of the ceremony and the presence of dignitaries from various nations, security arrangements have been significantly bolstered. Snipers and armed police personnel will be strategically stationed along the routes of the visiting dignitaries, while advanced Artificial Intelligence technology, including intrusion warning systems and facial recognition, will be employed for enhanced surveillance. Furthermore, the Delhi Police’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and the National Security Guard (NSG) will be on standby to address any potential security threats.
In anticipation of the event, the Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory, warning of road closures and restrictions in the central parts of Delhi. Additionally, a no-fly zone has been established, prohibiting certain flying objects within the vicinity of the ceremony. To accommodate the visiting dignitaries, top hotels such as Leela, Taj, ITC Maurya, Claridges, and Oberoi have been placed under heavy security cover.
While the event has garnered significant attention, invitations to opposition parties have been a subject of discussion. Congress leaders have revealed that they are yet to receive invitations, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has declared its decision not to attend the ceremony. TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her disagreement with Prime Minister Modi’s mandate, stating her belief that he should not hold the position of Prime Minister. These developments add an interesting political dimension to an already significant event in India’s democratic landscape.