Kalam farewell banquet for Vajpayee

When Kalam asked him to continue till alternate arrangements had been made, Vajpayee agreed but at the same time is said to have requested the President to ensure that the process does not linger on. This was confirmed by DPM L.K. Advani, who accompanied Vajpayee, during a tea hosted by him at his residence today.

Conscious of his conduct after losing the elections, Vajpayee made sure that he undertook the journey to Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday in a simple white ambassdador leaving the newly acquired flashy BMWs in 7 Race Course Road.

Meanwhile, the Rashtrapati Bhavan staff have been left wondering about the venue of the swearing-in ceremony. Brisk work had begun to spruce up the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan as the NDA Government had opted this location. Around 2,500 invitees are expected.

But the verdict has taken all by surprise as they await for the new government to choose its venue. The staff is keeping the option of Ashoka Hall open as all Congress Prime Ministers have taken oath there.

The only concern is that the capacity of the hall is around 600 whereas more than 2,000 people can be accomodated in the forecourt, convenient for a coalition government. Nearly 2,500 attended Vajpayee’s swearing-in ceremony in 1999.