Mallikarjun Kharge to attend Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony today

Kharge will attend in his capacity as the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, the Congress said in a statement. This decision follows consultations with several INDIA bloc leaders yesterday.

Trinamool Congress, an INDIA Bloc partner, will not attend the ceremony.

The extended Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest executive forum of the grand old Indian political party, on Saturday unanimously passed a resolution to appoint senior leader Rahul Gandhi  as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lower House of the Parliament.

In the meeting, Gandhi, who has won from Wayanad and Raebareli, said he would think about the proposal (to become the LoP), leaders familiar with the matter said, adding that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, however, politely reminded him that since CWC has passed a resolution in this order, he should accept the post.

India has invited several leaders from neighbouring countries to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi, who is set to become the Prime Minister for a third consecutive term on Sunday.

The ceremony will take place today at 7.15 pm at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Besides Modi his Council of Ministers will also take their oaths of office and secrecy, forming part of the Prime Minister's new cabinet.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, several leaders have accepted the invitation and will arrive in New Delhi on Sunday to participate in the ceremony.