Naveen Keeps His Promise, Invites Modi To His Swearing-In Ceremony

Bhubaneswar: BJD president Naveen Patnaik will take oath for a record fifth term as the Chief Minister of Odisha on Wednesday (May 29) and the party has reportedly extended a formal invitation to BJP leader Narendra Modi to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Modi will take oath as the Prime Minister for second successive term the following day (May 30).

The invitation assumes significance against the backdrop of the war of words between the two leaders while campaigning for party candidates with either side asserting victory in the election. Responding to Modi’s jibe that he would visit the state next after the current government was dislodged, Naveen had invited the former to attend his swearing-in ceremony when a new BJD government was installed after the polls.

Exuding confidence of a win even before the whole election process was over, Naveen at an election rally at Basta under Balasore Lok Sabha constituency had said, “BJD has already secured the majority in the assembly by the end of the third-phase polling. I humbly invite him (Modi) to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the new BJD government.”

The Naveen-led BJD swept the 2019 Assembly Elections with a thumping majority, winning 112 of 147 seats.

In an exception to previous years, the swearing-in ceremony at Idco Exhibition Ground here will be a gala event with industry bigwigs attending it along with thousands of women SHGs members. This is for the first time that the ceremony will be held in the open. Naveen took the oath of office for the earlier four terms at Raj Bhawan.

All important state leaders of different political parties in Odisha have also been invited, the BJD sources added.

Director General of Police (DGP) Dr RP Sharma along with Twin City Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty had reviewed the security arrangements at the exhibition ground on Sunday.

The DGP said that around 5,000 people are expected at the event. “Our main objective is to provide security to all VVIPs. Governor, Chief Justice and several other dignitaries will be attending the programme. Along with the entire legislative assembly members, some special invitees will also be present,” he added.

Mohanty said that 35 platoon force will be deployed and CCTVs will be installed in 100ft circumference of the dais.