Confident of win, BJP plans ‘political event’ to celebrate; likely over weekend

In 2019, the second Narendra Modi government took oath on May 30, a week after the results were declared.

BJP workers in Patna pack sweets on Sunday, ahead of the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections. (PTI)

Besides the official swearing-in ceremony of the new government, a confident BJP — boosted by the exit polls — is learnt to be planning a “political event”, which is likely to be scheduled for the weekend.

Meanwhile, ahead of counting of votes on Tuesday, the President’s Secretariat floated a tender on May 28 for “supplying of decorative indoor plants and ornamental plants for swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and other ministers in Rashtrapati Bhavan”. The tender, with an estimated cost of Rs 21.97 lakh, will be opened on Monday and the contractor will have five days to fulfil the order.

Sources said preparations for the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan began last week. According to sources, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) is “already working” on this event.

Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha Secretariat is putting preparations in place to facilitate the travel of newly-elected MPs from across the country, their arrival at transit points such as the airport and railway stations, and their stay in the Capital, said sources.

PM Narendra Modi. (PTI/File)

The “political event” is likely to be held at the Bharat Mandapam or Kartavya Path on the same day as the official swearing-in, said sources. It is being themed as a showcase of the “cultural heritage of India”, with a possible sound-and-light show. It is likely to be attended by 8,000-10,000 people, including “representatives of foreign governments”.

According to a senior government functionary, the plans for the celebration/ cultural event after the swearing-in ceremony have not been finalised yet, but could take place on June 9.

Also Read | Behind Opposition postal ballot concern, Election Commission rule change in 2019

In 2019, the government took oath on May 30, a week after the results were declared.

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A senior BJP leader said the “political event” was discussed, along with the logistics of hosting “a large gathering”, especially given the prevailing weather conditions. “The event is understood to have been discussed by the senior leadership, and various venues ranging from the Ramlila Maidan and Red Fort to the Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi Convention Centre were selected as options,” the party leader said.

“Given the heat, the event is likely to be held at indoor facilities like the Bharat Mandapam or Yashobhoomi — both of which the Prime Minister has underlined as symbols of the Centre’s infrastructural push in the Capital. While the Bharat Mandapam was the venue of the successful G20 Summit as well as the BJP national executive last year, Yashoboomi is seen as having immense potential for commercial activity in the future,” said a BJP source.

Jatin Anand

Jatin Anand is an Assistant Editor with the national political bureau of The Indian Express. Over the last 16 years, he has covered governance, politics, bureaucracy, crime, traffic, intelligence, the Election Commission of India and Urban Development among other beats. He is an English (Literature) graduate from Zakir Husain Delhi College, DU & specialised in Print at the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. He tweets @jatinpaul ... Read More

Damini Nath

Damini Nath is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. She covers the housing and urban affairs and Election Commission beats. She has 11 years of experience as a reporter and sub-editor. Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she was a reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau covering culture, social justice, housing and urban affairs and the Election Commission. ... Read More

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