The Ministry of Home Affairs Saturday junked a news report quoting Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel that he would give G-20 dinner a miss owing to air restrictions in and around Delhi. In a tweet, the MHA clarified that the movement of Governors and Chief Ministers on their state aircrafts are allowed even though there is high tech security air cover in the national capital. "In a news report, Chief Minister Chhattisgarh has expressed his inability to participate in G20 Dinner at Leaders’ Summit at Delhi on 9 Sept 2023 due to air restrictions in and around Delhi. (1/2)," read MHA spokesperson's tweet. The Ministry clarified in another tweet, "MHA has clarified to the State that while a high tech security air cover has been deployed for G20 Leaders’ Summit at Delhi on 8-11 September 2023, movement of Governors and State Chief Ministers on their State aircrafts are allowed. (2/2)." In a news report, Chief Minister Chhattisgarh has expressed his inability to participate in G20 Dinner at Leaders’ Summit at Delhi on 9 Sept 2023 due to air restrictions in and around Delhi. (1/2)@HMOIndia @PIB_India @DDNewslive @airnewsalerts — Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) September 9, 2023 This comes amid a row over Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other Opposition leader not being invited to the dinner. Baghel's Karnataka counterpart Siddaramaiah is also set to miss the dinner. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is the only Congress Chief Minister who has confirmed his presence so far. Former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and H D Deve Gowda will not attend the dinner due to “health reasons”. The G-20 dinner will be hosted by President Droupadi Murmu for world leaders at Bharat Mandapam.
