New Delhi / Chennai: Ahead of being sworn in as the Prime Minister for a second consecutive term, Narendra Modi paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and BJP veteran late Atal Bihari Vajpayee this morning. He also placed a wreath at the National War Memorial adjoining the India Gate in New Delhi.
The Prime Minister visited Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, around 7 am. Later, he went to Sadaiv Atal, the lotus-shaped memorial of former Prime Minister Vajpayee. Several senior BJP leaders, including party chief Amit Shah, were also present.
Later, in a series of tweets, Modi said, “This year, we mark the 150th Jayanti of Bapu. May this special occasion further popularise Bapu’s noble ideals and continue inspiring us to empower the lives of the poor, downtrodden and marginalised.”
Modi said Vajpayee would have been very happy to see the BJP get such a great opportunity to serve people. “Motivated by Atal Ji’s life and work, we will strive to enhance good governance and transform lives,” the PM said.
Referring to his visit to the war memorial, he said, India is proud of all those brave men and women martyred in the line of duty.
“Our government will leave no stone unturned to safeguard India’s unity and integrity. National security is our priority,” he tweeted.
Modi and his council of ministers will take oath at 7 pm Thursday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Leaders of various countries have reached Delhi and a tight security blanket is in place in the capital. From Tamilnadu, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, Deputy CM O Panneerselvam, State Ministers and leaders of BJP’s alliance partners left for Delhi this morning to attend the swearing in.
“The following leaders have confirmed their participation at the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister: Md Abdul Hamid, President of Bangladesh; Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka; Sooronbay Jeenbekov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic; U Win Myint, President of Myanmar; The Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius; Rt Hon KP Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal; Dr Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister of Bhutan; and Grisada Boonrach, Special Envoy of Thailand,” a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
It is expected that Modi and around 65 Ministers would take oath. Sources said that the new ministry would be a mix of experience and youth, and the BJP would also like to strike the right regional and caste balance with it.
| In the list are… |
| According to sources, the probable names that are doing rounds as Ministers in Modi Cabinet are Sushma Swaraj, Parshottam Rupala, Mansukh L Mandaviya, Ramesh Pokhriyal, Jitender Singh, Piyush Goel, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Prahlad Joshi, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Prahlad Patel, Suresh Angadi, Ramdas Athawale, Kishan Reddy, Ram Vilas Paswan & Krishnapal Gurjar. |