Mamata Banerjee to skip PM Modi's swearing in, writes "I am sorry, Narendra Modi ji, this has compelled me to not attend the ceremony" over reports on political violence deaths. Read statement

Mamata Banerjee has said that she would not attend his oath-taking ceremony which will be held on May 30.

She has said that owing to media reports which said that the BJP has claimed that 54 people were murdered in West Bengal in poll violence and calling them as falsehoods, she has decided to not attend the ceremony.

She has said that ceremony "is an august occasion to celebrate democracy, not one that should be devalued by any political party".

Read her statement below.

BJP had managed to make deep inroads into the Trinamool territory in West Bengal by winning 18 Lok Sabha seats out of 42. The TMC's victory was reduced from 34 in 2014 to 22 in 2019.

PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony is expected to be attended by thousands of dignitaries from the Centre and the states. Chief Ministers of all states, state unit chiefs of BJP, state ministers, present members of Parliament, former members of the Parliament have been invited for the oath-taking ceremony.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister-elect Jagan Mohan Reddy have also reportedly been invited for the ceremony.

As per sources to Republic Media Network, it is likely that Rahul Gandhi will not attend the ceremony following which Congress chief ministers of states will also give the swearing-in a miss.

Adding to the already hefty list of attendees of PM-elect Modi's swearing-in, leaders from the member states of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) namely Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand , Nepal and Bhutan are reportedly attending the ceremony.

In response to a question on confirmation of foreign leaders attending the Swearing-in-Ceremony of the Prime Minister of India on Thursday, 30 May 2019, the Official Spokesperson said:

“The following leaders have confirmed their participation at the swearing in ceremony of the Prime Minister: H.E. Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid, President of Bangladesh; H.E. Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka; H.E. Mr. Sooronbay Jeenbekov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic; H.E. Mr. U Win Myint, President of Myanmar; The Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius; Rt. Hon. K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal; H.E. Dr. Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister of Bhutan; and H.E. Mr. Grisada Boonrach, Special Envoy of Thailand.

We look forward to receiving the dignitaries in New Delhi for the ceremony. We will keep you abreast of any related developments, including bilateral engagements, in due course."

In a scoop by Republic Media Network, Superstar Rajinikanth and actor-turned-politician Kamal Hassan have reportedly been invited for the swearing-in of Narendra Modi for the second term.

As per sources to Republic Media Network, Superstar Rajinikanth and actor-turned-politician Kamal Hassan have reportedly been invited for the swearing-in of Narendra Modi for the second term.

READ | All Details Of PM Modi's Swearing-in: Huge Turnout Of World Leaders, MPs, State CMs Expected To Attend