The G20 Gala Dinner: A Political Gathering
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda have received coveted invitations to the G20 gala dinner, a prestigious event hosted by the President. On the other hand, the absence of Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has raised eyebrows.
Mamata Banerjee’s Confirmation
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, also on the guest list, has confirmed her attendance at the G20 gala dinner. Her participation adds a significant political dimension to the event.
The Controversial Guest List
Notably, Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, has not received an invitation. This omission has caused a stir among political circles. Kharge is a member of Parliament, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, and serves as the president of the Congress party. However, he does not hold a ministerial position in either the central or state government.
This comes after INDIA alliance leaders created a ruckus over a G20 dinner invitation from President Droupadi Murmu, which described her position as the “President of Bharat.”
Sources reveal that the guest list includes cabinet and state ministers, chief ministers, secretaries to the Government of India, and other distinguished individuals. Surprisingly, no leaders from other political parties have been invited to the gala.
Chief Ministers Confirm Attendance
Several chief ministers from different states have confirmed their participation in the G20 gala dinner. Among them are:
| Chief Minister | State |
|---|---|
| Nitish Kumar | Bihar |
| Hemant Soren | Jharkhand |
| MK Stalin | Tamil Nadu |
| Arvind Kejriwal | Delhi |
| Bhagwant Mann | Punjab |
Despite the earlier opposition to the invitation’s description of President Droupadi Murmu as ‘President of Bharat,’ Mamata Banerjee’s decision to attend the G20 dinner may be attributed to her friendship with Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Hasina is also expected to be present at the event. This diplomatic connection could have influenced Banerjee’s choice.
The CPI(M), while acknowledging Banerjee’s confirmation, speculates that she might have additional business in New Delhi, as observed in the past. Sujan Chakraborty, a Central Committee member of the CPI(M), questions whether Banerjee is attending as the CM of West Bengal or Paschim Banga, as it’s known in Bengali.
Senior Bengal BJP leader Rahul Sinha views Banerjee’s acceptance of the invitation as an endorsement of Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and the direction in which he is steering the country. He notes Banerjee’s ability to adapt her public stance based on evolving circumstances.
The G20 Summit, taking place in Delhi on September 9 and September 10 under India’s presidency, is expected to host numerous heads of state, including US President Joe Biden. All invited guests have been instructed to arrive at the Parliament House by Saturday evening at a quarter to six. Special transportation arrangements have been made to transport them to Bharat Mandapam and back to mitigate VVIP movement and traffic disruptions.
It’s a highly anticipated event that brings together influential leaders and dignitaries from around the world, providing a platform for diplomatic exchanges and discussions on pressing global issues.
With inputs from PTI.