modi-begins-day-with-tributes-to-mahatma-gandhi

Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi and late Atal Bihari Vajpayee early on Sunday, the day of his swearing-in ceremony.

 

Modi visited Rajghat, the  memorial of the Father of the Nation, and then moved to former prime minister and BJP stalward Vajpayee's memorial at Sadaiv Atal in Delhi.

 

The next stop was at the National War Memorial where he laid a wreath, where BJP leader Rajnath Singh was also present. 

 

Modi is set to begin his third straight term as prime minister.

 

President Droupadi Murmu will administer oath of office to Modi and his Council of Ministers at a ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhawan on Sunday evening.

 

Several allies such as the TDP, JD(U) and Shiv Sena are likely to be represented in the coalition government. 

 

New Delhi is gearing up for the occasion with several posters going up in the city of Narendra Modi.

 

In UP's Prayagraj, a special aarti was performed for the swearing-in ceremony. 

 

Dignitaries and special invitees at the oath ceremony will include Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Seychelles Vice-President Ahmed Afif,  Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda'and Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.

 

Among opposition leaders, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee has said her party is not attending  while the Congress has yet to confirm its decision. 

 

Meawhile, traffic police authorities have said special arrangements have been made in Capital Delhi for the swearing-in ceremony with 1,100 traffic staff controlling movement of vehicles around Rashtrapati Bhawan, the venue of the swearing-in ceremony.

 

According to DCP Traffic Prashant Gautam,"there will be restricted entry and movement in areas around Rashtrapati Bhavan from 2 pm."