Modi's oath: Don't read too much into presence of leading politicians, says Centre

Modi's oath: Don't read too much into presence of leading politicians, says Centre

The Centre on Wednesday downplayed the presence of leading political leaders at the swearing-in function of Narendra Modi, who assumed office of chief minister ofGujarat for the fourth consecutive time.

"I don't think it is essential to tilt at windmills and read too much and extrapolate too much on certain people congregating for what is a formal ceremony of assumption of office," Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari told reporters in Delhi.

He was asked whether the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister JJayalalithaa at Modi's swearing-in was an indication towards political alignments for the 2014 general elections.

Also in attendance at the function were Punjab Chief Minister PrakashSingh Badal, Indian National Lok Dal leader Om Prakash Chautala, ShivSena president Uddhav Thackeray, his cousin and MNS chief RajThackeray and RPI leader Ramdas Athawale, besides the BJP leadership.

"I think it eventually depends on the state government concerned or the chief ministers concerned on whom he chooses to invite and whom he chooses not to invite, who chooses to attend and who chooses not to attend," Tewarisaid.

Modi's swearing-in ceremony was boycotted by Congress and NDAconstituent JD(U). Though an NDA partner, JD(U) had contested the Gujaratelections separately and won one seat.

Modi was sworn in as chief minister for the fourth time at the head of a 17-member ministry at a public ceremony in Ahmedabad.