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Mon, 26 May 2014
When Sharif and his mother got emotional on Modi
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23:54 When Sharif and his mother got emotional on Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pictures with his mother offering him sweets after he went to seek her blessings ahead of his swearing-in touched his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif and his mother too.
Modi shared his exchange of thoughts with Sharif during his swearing-in today at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Twitter.
"Nawaz Sharifji told me that he stays in Islamabad but goes to meet his mother once in a week. This time when he was eating with his mother he saw visuals on TV of my mother offering me sweets," Modi tweeted.
In another tweet, he said, "The visuals touched both Nawaz Sharifji & his mother. He told me that after seeing the visuals his mother got very emotional."
22:13 'Kem cho, Majama.' Gujarati greetings at Rashtrapati Bhavan
'Kem cho, Majama', (How are you? All is well?) the Gujarati way of greeting, was heard at the Rashtrapati Bhavan's forecourt where Narendra Modi was sworn-in as 15th prime minister of the country this evening.
As the guests and media persons were braving the heat in front of 'Jaipur Column' of the forecourt, BJP leader and now a cabinet minister Ravi Shankar Prasad arrived at the media enclosure and greeted the journalists in Gujarati.
BJP leader and MP Shatrugan Sinha was also greeted like this as he walked past the media enclosure.
As the guests and media persons were braving the heat in front of 'Jaipur Column' of the forecourt, BJP leader and now a cabinet minister Ravi Shankar Prasad arrived at the media enclosure and greeted the journalists in Gujarati.
BJP leader and MP Shatrugan Sinha was also greeted like this as he walked past the media enclosure.
22:09 Uma says she got ministry to clean Ganga, then withdraws tweet
Uma Bharti retracts her earlier tweet in which she had said that she got water resources and ministry for Ganga cleaning.
21:12 Prasad, Paswan sworn in as Bihar bags 5 seats in Modi Cabinet
Bihar has received a bounty of five ministers in the just sworn-in Narendra Modi Cabinet as against the duck the state had ended up with in UPA-II. With three Cabinet berths, one Minister of State (MoS) Independent-charge and one MoS appointment in its kitty, the spotlight is back on the state where Assembly elections are due next year.
The leaders from the state who were sworn in as part of Modi's Cabinet are Ravishankar Prasad, Radha Mohan Singh and LJP chief Paswan (all three as Cabinet Ministers), Dharmendra Pradhan (BJP) as MoS-Independent charge, and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party chief Upendra Kushwaha as Minister of State.
The leaders from the state who were sworn in as part of Modi's Cabinet are Ravishankar Prasad, Radha Mohan Singh and LJP chief Paswan (all three as Cabinet Ministers), Dharmendra Pradhan (BJP) as MoS-Independent charge, and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party chief Upendra Kushwaha as Minister of State.
21:08
That's all the eight SAARC heads with PM Narendra Modi, President Pranab Mukherjee and vice president Hamid Karzai.
21:06 Modi invited to Ramakrishna Mission's HQ in Belur math
Ramakrishna Math and Mission Order's president Swami Atmasthanand Maharaj, who had imparted spiritual teachings to Narendra Modi during his early years, has invited the Prime Minister elect to the organisation's headquarters in Belurmath, where he first came as a young boy. In a letter to Modi, the Maharaj said,"I am eagerly looking forward to your visit to Belurmath as the Prime Minister of India."
21:04 45, NOT 44 ministers in council
An FYI: Narendra Modi has 45 ministers in his council of minsters and not 44. So that's 45 plus Narendra Modi = 46
21:01 Never thought I would get an opportunity to serve people: Smriti
Never thought I would get an opportunity to serve people, says Smriti Irani after talking oath. She is pipped to be in the HRD ministry. Irani has indeed come a long way from a Femina Miss India 1998 to a critic of Narendra Modi in the post-Godhra 2002, to a minister in his cabinet.
20:54
Priority is to fulfill promises made to ppl. The portfolios will be shared tomorrow, says Anant Geete of the Shiv Sena after talking oath.
20:52 Return of KPs is a pure political issue: Panun Kashmir
Hoping that Narendra Modi government will generate a positive atmosphere and open new vistas for the displaced Kashmiri Pandits, Panun Kashmir today said the return of the community to the state was a political issue and should be dealt politically.
20:49 China's message to Modi's India
This is what Chinese Premier Li Keqiang today said "China and India are important neighbours to each other and the top two emerging markets in the world. China-India relations have moved beyond the bilateral scope and taken on global and strategic significance."
20:39 Celebrations at Modi's mom's home
Celebrations at Narendra Modi's brother, Pankaj's residence in Gandhinagar. His mother, Hiraba, lives with this brother.
20:36 Six ministers from Maharashtra in Modi government
The Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre, sworn-in this evening, has six ministers from Maharashtra, including three cabinet ministers. UPA II also had six ministers from the state towards the end: cabinet ministers Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel of NCP and Sushilkumar Shinde of Congress, ministers of state Milind Deora, Pratik Patil and Manikrao Gavit (all Congress).
Aditya Thackeray has been tweeting furiously. Here's a sampler:
"Today too, in all the grandeur of the swearing in ceremony, I'm thankful to each Karyakarta who worked hard for this day!"
Aditya Thackeray has been tweeting furiously. Here's a sampler:
"Today too, in all the grandeur of the swearing in ceremony, I'm thankful to each Karyakarta who worked hard for this day!"
20:34 Let's work for Ek Bharat, Sreshtha Bhararat: Rajnath
Post-oath tweet from Rajnath Singh: I am grateful to all of you for your support and good wishes. Let us work together to realise the dream of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'.
He is likely to get the home ministry.
He is likely to get the home ministry.
20:30
Aam Aadmi Party tweets: Congratulations to @NarendraModi for becoming PM of India. We wish you all the best to fulfill the expectations people have from you.
20:26 Varanasi congratulates Modi with spectacular Ganga aarti today
Ganga aarti in Varanasi for Narendra Modi. Modi had received a rapturous welcome in Varanasi when he visited his constituency in a show of gratitude, a day after the BJPs resounding victory in the Lok Sabha elections on May 16.
Modi participated in a grand Ganga aarti at the famed Dashashwamedh Ghat and said, "I bow before the people of Varanasi for having so much faith in me."
Modi participated in a grand Ganga aarti at the famed Dashashwamedh Ghat and said, "I bow before the people of Varanasi for having so much faith in me."
20:24 LIVE! Modi's mom watches him become India's 15th PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's family is proud that he has taken oath, one of his family members said today.
"I am extremely happy that Narendrabhai is becoming India's PM. It's a matter of joy and pride for all family members. We could have gone there to attend the swearing-in ceremony. However, we family members didn't want to divert his attention. Thus, we have decided to watch the ceremony on television," Prime Minister Modi's younger brother Prahlad Modi, who lives in Ahmedabad, said.
"Another reason we didn't go, is because we don't want anyone to raise fingers at Modi claiming that he favoured his family. Thus, none of us went to attend the ceremony," he said.
Similarly, Modi's elder brother Somabhai Modi and his family also stayed back. "We just want to make sure that no trouble should be caused to him due to us (family members). We don't want to give a chance to anyone to allege that Modi believes in nepotism. Thus, we haven't gone to Delhi to attend the ceremony," Somabhai said.
Modi's mother Hiraba, who lives in Gandhinagar with another one of his younger brothers, Pankaj, also stayed back and witnessed the event on television.
"I am extremely happy that Narendrabhai is becoming India's PM. It's a matter of joy and pride for all family members. We could have gone there to attend the swearing-in ceremony. However, we family members didn't want to divert his attention. Thus, we have decided to watch the ceremony on television," Prime Minister Modi's younger brother Prahlad Modi, who lives in Ahmedabad, said.
"Another reason we didn't go, is because we don't want anyone to raise fingers at Modi claiming that he favoured his family. Thus, none of us went to attend the ceremony," he said.
Similarly, Modi's elder brother Somabhai Modi and his family also stayed back. "We just want to make sure that no trouble should be caused to him due to us (family members). We don't want to give a chance to anyone to allege that Modi believes in nepotism. Thus, we haven't gone to Delhi to attend the ceremony," Somabhai said.
Modi's mother Hiraba, who lives in Gandhinagar with another one of his younger brothers, Pankaj, also stayed back and witnessed the event on television.
20:21
The seven women in Narendra Modi's ministry. See our slideshow.
20:14
And celebrations in Delhi, Varanasi, Patna and in this picture, in Thiruvananthapuram.
20:11
And Narendra Modi's Twitter handle changes.... to Narendra Modi Prime Minister of India.
19:54
Kapil Sibal tweets: Congratulations @narendramodi and team BJP, NDA. All the best, in your new role for India.
19:46
And that's another picture of the SAARC line-up.
19:45
And that is Nawaz Sharif greeting PM Modi.
19:44 Amarinder hopes Indo-Pak relations improve, benefit Punjab
Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invite to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif for his swearing-in ceremony, Congress MP Amarinder Singh hoped that the relations between the two neighbours will improve thus benefiting Punjab. Amarinder said with Sharif responding positively, it had sent a positive signal across the sub-continent.
19:44
That's the the photo-op of the PM and his ministers just after the swearing-in.
19:35
Omar Abdullah: No selfies on stage!!!! Remarkable restraint :-)
19:34 SAARC leaders congratulate Modi
SAARC leaders step up one by one to congratulate Narendra Modi after the photo-op. Even for Modi detractors, this is certainly a historic moment -- never before have SAARC leaders -- and they are all democratically elected -- been present at the swearing in of a PM. With them is the President and vice-president as well.
19:31 LIVE! Photo-op with President after team Modi swearing-in ends
PM Narendra Modi and his team of ministers get on to the dais with President Pranab Mukherjee for a photo op.
19:29
Raosaheb DP Danve, Radhakrishnan, Kiren Rijiju, Krishan Pal, Sanjeev Kumar Baliyan take oath.
And the swearing-in ceremony ends with the national anthem.
And the swearing-in ceremony ends with the national anthem.
19:27
Omar Abdullah responds to Kiran Bedi's tweet: @abdullah_omar @thekiranbedi it's all relative ma'am. I just flew in from Srinagar this afternoon so this isn't my idea of pleasant weather :-)
Omar Abdullah was the first chief minister to tweet his best wishes to Team Modi this evening.
Omar Abdullah was the first chief minister to tweet his best wishes to Team Modi this evening.
19:24 This is what the PM and his ministers say when they take oath
This is the text of the oath read out by the Prime Minister and his ministers.
Oath of office
"I, (name) do swear in the name of God/solemnly affirm (if the person is an atheist) that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established, that I will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, that I will faithfully and conscientiously discharge my duties as a Minister for the Union and that I will do right to all manner of people in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will."
Oath of secrecy
"I, (name)., do swear in the name of God/solemnly affirm that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person or persons any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as a Minister for the Union except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as such Minister."
Oath of office
"I, (name) do swear in the name of God/solemnly affirm (if the person is an atheist) that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established, that I will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, that I will faithfully and conscientiously discharge my duties as a Minister for the Union and that I will do right to all manner of people in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will."
Oath of secrecy
"I, (name)., do swear in the name of God/solemnly affirm that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person or persons any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as a Minister for the Union except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as such Minister."
19:16
First up: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Extends Congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
19:16
The historical moment overshadows the weather for Kiran Bedi. This is her response to Omar's tweet: "(Pretty Pleasant) @abdullah_omar: Dear PM hopefuls if u want.... big ceremony outdoors pl time elections so we can do this in the winter :-)
19:14
GM Siddeswara, Manoj Sinha, Upendra Kushwaha take oath as Minister of State.
19:12
Jokes on Nawaz Sharif on Twitter: @dubash: Nawaz Sharif whispering to MMS: This has gone long enough, when does the army take over?
Sharif arrived in Delhi today saying he was, "carrying a message of peace. Dialogue is the only solution."
Sharif arrived in Delhi today saying he was, "carrying a message of peace. Dialogue is the only solution."
19:09
Nirmala Sitharaman taking oath now. She may get MoS (Ind) Commerce. She is also the national spokesperson for the party.
The weather in Delhi is a sweltering 38 C. Tunku Varadarajan tweets: Nawaz Sharif thinking? "God, it's hot!" or "Why didn't I listen to my faujis & stay at home?" or "Yeh democracy kamaal ki cheez hai!"
Pic: That was former Army Chief General VK Singh taking oath.
The weather in Delhi is a sweltering 38 C. Tunku Varadarajan tweets: Nawaz Sharif thinking? "God, it's hot!" or "Why didn't I listen to my faujis & stay at home?" or "Yeh democracy kamaal ki cheez hai!"
Pic: That was former Army Chief General VK Singh taking oath.
19:08
That was Maneka Gandhi taking oath along with 43 other, ministers, earlier.
19:07
Piyush Goyal, Shripad Naik, Dharmendra Pradhan, Sarbananda Sonowal, Prakash Javadekar take oath. Goyal, a TV panel regular, is also national treasurer of the party and an ex-investment banker.
19:02 'Can we do this in winter please'
Omar Abdullah is feeling hot... "Dear PM hopefuls if you want to have a big oath taking ceremony outdoors please time elections so we can do this in the winter :-)"
19:00
Kiran Bedi tweets a selfie from the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt.
18:59
So, that was 44 ministers who just finished taking oath. Ten ministers with independent charge taking oath now.
18:57
Uddhav Thackeray and Amit Shah seated next to each other.
Smriti Irani takes oath. Likely to get HRD. Irani put up a tough fight for Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, bringing down his margin from 3.7 lakh votes in 2009 to just 1.07 lakh votes this time.
VK Singh takes oath. Likely to get MoS external affairs and MoS (Independent) North East.
Dr Harsh Vardhan, who was the party's candidate for Delhi CM takes oath.
No conversation between Nawaz Sharif and Dr Singh.
Smriti Irani takes oath. Likely to get HRD. Irani put up a tough fight for Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, bringing down his margin from 3.7 lakh votes in 2009 to just 1.07 lakh votes this time.
VK Singh takes oath. Likely to get MoS external affairs and MoS (Independent) North East.
Dr Harsh Vardhan, who was the party's candidate for Delhi CM takes oath.
No conversation between Nawaz Sharif and Dr Singh.
18:46
Anant Geete takes oath as a minister.
18:45
Harsimrat Kaur Badal takes oath. She is the only woman MP from Punjab. Modi's cabinet is expected to have seven women.
Narendra Singh Tomar takes oath.
Jual Oram takes oath.
Narendra Singh Tomar takes oath.
Jual Oram takes oath.
18:41
Ashok Gajapati Raju takes the oath without saying his name. Pranab Mukherjee prompts him with a "tell your name" after which he begins again.
He is from the TDP.
He is from the TDP.
18:38
Ravi Shankar Prasad takes oath.
18:38 Maneka Sanjay Gandhi takes oath
Maneka Sanjay Gandhi takes oath. She was a cabinet minister in the Vajpayee and VP Singh governments. She won from Pilibhit.
Son, Varun Gandhi, who won from the Sultanpur seat shares a laugh with the Kirron Kher who won from Chandigarh.
Ananth Kumar who defeated Nandan Nilkeani from Bangalore south takes oath.
Son, Varun Gandhi, who won from the Sultanpur seat shares a laugh with the Kirron Kher who won from Chandigarh.
Ananth Kumar who defeated Nandan Nilkeani from Bangalore south takes oath.
18:34
Ram Vilas Paswan takes oath. Likely to get food and civil supplies, as well as the consumer affairs ministry.
Kalraj Mishra taking oath now.
Pic: That was Rajnath Singh taking the oath.
Kalraj Mishra taking oath now.
Pic: That was Rajnath Singh taking the oath.
18:32 Message from the Prime Minister
My dear fellow Indians and citizens of the world, Namaste!
A very warm welcome to the official website of the Prime Minister of India.
On 16th May 2014 the people of India gave their verdict. They delivered a mandate for development, good governance and stability. As we devote ourselves to take India's development journey to newer heights, we seek your support, blessings and active participation. Together we will script a glorious future for India. Let us together dream of a strong, developed and inclusive India that actively engages with the global community to strengthen the cause of world peace and development.
"I envision this website as a very important medium of direct communication between us. I am a firm believer in the power of technology and social media to communicate with people across the world. I hope this platform creates opportunities to listen, learn and share one's views.
"Through this website you will also get all the latest information about my speeches, schedules, foreign visits and lot more. I will also keep informing you about innovative initiatives undertaken by the Government of India."
Yours,
Narendra Modi
A very warm welcome to the official website of the Prime Minister of India.
On 16th May 2014 the people of India gave their verdict. They delivered a mandate for development, good governance and stability. As we devote ourselves to take India's development journey to newer heights, we seek your support, blessings and active participation. Together we will script a glorious future for India. Let us together dream of a strong, developed and inclusive India that actively engages with the global community to strengthen the cause of world peace and development.
"I envision this website as a very important medium of direct communication between us. I am a firm believer in the power of technology and social media to communicate with people across the world. I hope this platform creates opportunities to listen, learn and share one's views.
"Through this website you will also get all the latest information about my speeches, schedules, foreign visits and lot more. I will also keep informing you about innovative initiatives undertaken by the Government of India."
Yours,
Narendra Modi
18:31 Najma Heptullah takes oath
Twitterati insist this is a fake Bappi Lahiri at the oath-taking ceremony. Where's the gold?
Dr Najma Heptullah takes oath. She is expected to be the minority affairs minister.
Gopinath Munde takes oath. He is expected to head rural development.
Dr Najma Heptullah takes oath. She is expected to be the minority affairs minister.
Gopinath Munde takes oath. He is expected to head rural development.
18:27
@SIR_Fan1: Nobody from AAP invited? Sab mile huye hain...
18:26
Uma Bharti takes oath. She is expected to head the new Ganga clean-up ministry.
18:25
Shashi Tharoor tweets: Congratulations @narendramodi ji. You are now Prime Minister of all Indians. We honour & respect your office &wish you well, till we disagree.
Lovely!
Lovely!
18:24
That's the updated mindia.nic.in site.
Sadanand Gowda takes oath. Likely to get railway.
Sadanand Gowda takes oath. Likely to get railway.
18:22
Nitin Jairam Gadkari takes oath. Likely to get the mega Transport ministry.
18:21
That's PM Narendra Modi signing the registrar with his Mont Blanc pen.
18:20
Arun Jaitley takes oath. He is expected to get finance and defence.
Next is Venkaiah Naidu.
Next is Venkaiah Naidu.
18:17
Main, Sushma Swaraj ... India's next external affairs minister (most likely) takes oath.
18:15
Ministers take oath, but no portfolio announcements as yet... Rajnath Singh takes oath. He is expected to be home minister.
18:14
A beaming President Pranab Mukherjee greets Narendra Modi.
18:13 LIVE! Narendra Damodardas Modi takes oath as India's 15th PM
President Pranab Mukherjee delivers the oath. He takes two oaths -- oath of office and oath of secrecy.
18:12
I, Narendra Damodardas Modi takes oath as India's 15th prime minister.
18:10
PM of Tibet's government in exile is also in the crowd.
18:09
The 3000-plus dignitaries and VVIPs stand for the national anthem.
18:08 Pranab Mukherjee arrives at the forcourt to fanfare
President Pranab Mukherjee descending from the steps of the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the forecourt. Fanfare, goosesteps and the stunning pageantry of ceremonies like this.
18:07
Omar, Montek seated behind Salman Khan. Next to Salman is Zafar Sareshwala.
18:06
Tunku Varadarajan tweets: Karzai in Delhi for Modi swearing-in. Y'day, he refused to meet Obama at Bagram. Modi-Karzai equation crucial, as US departs from Afghanistan.
18:02 Modi greets Hamid Ansari
Modi, Modi chants at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. He is seated next Rajnath Singh. Vice president Hamid Ansari arrives. Modi stands up to greet him.
18:00
Narendra Modi's cavalcade driving up the stunning Raisina Hills. And so, Narendra Modi arrives at the forecourt.
Meanwhile, Shatrughan Sinha and Dharmendra share a high five.
Meanwhile, Shatrughan Sinha and Dharmendra share a high five.
17:57
That's Vivek Oberoi, who arrived 30 minutes ago.
Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai has just come in. He stops to talk to Nawaz Sharif and Manmohan Singh. LK Advani seated next to Dr Singh greets him as well. Then on to Sonia Gandhi and Pratibha Patil.
Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai has just come in. He stops to talk to Nawaz Sharif and Manmohan Singh. LK Advani seated next to Dr Singh greets him as well. Then on to Sonia Gandhi and Pratibha Patil.
17:54
Narendra Modi leaves Gujarat Bhavan for Rashtrapati Bhavan.
17:52 LIVE! Nawaz seated next to Manmohan at Modi's coronation
Pak PM Nawaz Sharif arrives at the 'coronation'. He greets Dr Manmohan Singh, former President APJ Kalam. A brief second with LK Advani and Sharif sits next to the PM.
Other SAARC leaders -- Nepal, Bhutan arrive.
Other SAARC leaders -- Nepal, Bhutan arrive.
17:46
Nawaz Sharif to reach the ceremony shortly.
P Chidambaram arrives with a smile.
P Chidambaram arrives with a smile.
17:43
Shashi Tharoor tweets: Advice to some being sworn in today: Being MoS is like standing in a cemetery -- there's a lot of people under you but no one is listening!
17:43
Dr Manmohan Singh and Gursharan Kaur arrive. All senior BJP leaders lining up to receive him. They are seated next to former president APJ Kalam.
17:39
Sonia is seated next to former president Pratibha Patil. Kokilaben with Ambanis at the swearing-in. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at there as well. At least 3000 guests at the ceremony.
The entry for non-VIPs is all messed up. Long queues at gate number five.
The entry for non-VIPs is all messed up. Long queues at gate number five.
17:36
Hema Malini, Dharmendra, Vivek Oberoi share a moment.
Sonia, Rahul arrive. Sonia shares a word with Lk Advani.
Sonia, Rahul arrive. Sonia shares a word with Lk Advani.
17:31 Sushma, Uma hug
BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj (likely to get external affairs) and Uma Bharti (likely to get Ganga clean-up ministry) give each other a hug.
The forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan filling up. Vivek Oberoi dressed in a deep pink waistcoat and dark glasses strides into the forecourt.
The forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan filling up. Vivek Oberoi dressed in a deep pink waistcoat and dark glasses strides into the forecourt.
17:25 LIVE! All roads lead to Rashtrapati Bhawan for Narendra Damodardas Modi's swearing-in
At the Rashtrapati Bhawan forecourt: Sharad Pawar, Praful Patel, Amit Shah, Ram Madhav, Sushma Swaraj, Uddhav and Aditya Thackeray, Murli Manohar Joshi arrive. .
17:24
Kiran Bedi tweets: Can't express enough how empowered and blessed I am feeling as an Indian today being here at RBhawan.God bless my India and fellow indians!
Bedi has been pipped to be the BJP's CM candidate for Delhi. But no confirmations from the party as yet.
Bedi has been pipped to be the BJP's CM candidate for Delhi. But no confirmations from the party as yet.
17:22
Ram Vilas Paswan arrives.
17:16
Mukesh and Nita Ambani and their son at the swearing-in. For the second time in its history, the Sensex breached 25,000-mark but failed to hold above that level on heavy profit-booking and closed with a marginal rise today ahead of swearing-in of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister.
17:07
Prasoon Joshi, who was part of the BJP's media campaign says: "It's wonderful to have played a humble role in such a momentous election. Like every Indian citizen I'm hopeful that we see a better stronger more developed India. I'm looking forward to be at the Rashtrapati Bhawan today and witnessing the oath taken by the new leaders in whom the nation has reposed their trust and hope."
17:03
Nawaz Sharif leaves the Taj Mansingh for Rashtrapati Bhavan.
17:02 Omar: Wish Team Modi the very best
The very gracious J-K CM Omar Abdullah tweets: For what it's worth I wish Team Modi the very best as they embark on a journey to govern India for the next five years. I hope they hand over a better India to their successors when the time comes to do so. That's the very least we can expect or hope for.
16:58 LIVE! Free chai at Mani Shankar Aiyar tea stall in Vadodara
When Narendra Modi is sworn-in as Prime Minister on Monday, hot cups of NaMo tea will be given for free at a tea stall in Vadodara. The stall is telling called the Mani Shankar Aiyer tea stall.
Aiyar's snide remark at Modi's roots as a person who sold tea has come to roost. In January this year, at the AICC session, Aiyar had said, "I promise you in 21st century Narendra Modi will never become the Prime Minister of the country. ...But if he wants to distribute tea here, we will find a place for him."
Along with NaMo chai at the Aiyar tea stall, people will also be able to try falafel.
Aiyar's snide remark at Modi's roots as a person who sold tea has come to roost. In January this year, at the AICC session, Aiyar had said, "I promise you in 21st century Narendra Modi will never become the Prime Minister of the country. ...But if he wants to distribute tea here, we will find a place for him."
Along with NaMo chai at the Aiyar tea stall, people will also be able to try falafel.
16:52 LIVE! Modi: Honoured that people from all walks of life will join me at swearing-in
Narendra Modi tweets: I am glad and honoured that people from all walks of life will join the swearing in ceremony. I welcome them. A big thank you to all friends who will be viewing the ceremony on TV and through social media. Your constant support & blessings mean a lot."
Read: The VVIPs at Modi's swearing-in: Who's in and who's out
Pic: BJP's Kiran Bedi tweets her invite.
Read: The VVIPs at Modi's swearing-in: Who's in and who's out
Pic: BJP's Kiran Bedi tweets her invite.
16:52 Omar on the way to Rashtrapati Bhavan
Omar Abdullah is "Leaving for Rashtrapati Bhavan in a while. Last time I attended an Oath Ceremony on the forecourt was in 1999, seems like yesterday. Sorry, the second tweet seems to have been in a greater hurry than the first unless it got caught up in Delhi's epic traffic mess today :-)"
16:40
Rakesh and Hrithik Roshan reach Delhi. They are part of the guest list at the swearing-in ceremony.
16:35 Trade issues to figure in Modi-Sharif talks tomorrow
Trade related issues such as grant of non-discriminatory market access to Indian products are expected to figure in the bilateral meeting of Narendra Modi and Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Delhi tomorrow.
"Definitely both the prime ministers will discuss issues related with trade. It is an important issue. But the ball is in the court of Pakistan. India has already agreed on the roadmap to boost trade between the two countries," official sources said. Sharif is here to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Modi.
His delegation includes Advisor Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry. Sharif will have a separate meeting with Modi before returning to Pakistan.
Pakistan has decided to postpone grant of Non- Discriminatory Market Access status to India due to domestic compulsions. Bilateral trade talks have been suspended since last year following escalation in violence at the LoC.
"Definitely both the prime ministers will discuss issues related with trade. It is an important issue. But the ball is in the court of Pakistan. India has already agreed on the roadmap to boost trade between the two countries," official sources said. Sharif is here to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Modi.
His delegation includes Advisor Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry. Sharif will have a separate meeting with Modi before returning to Pakistan.
Pakistan has decided to postpone grant of Non- Discriminatory Market Access status to India due to domestic compulsions. Bilateral trade talks have been suspended since last year following escalation in violence at the LoC.
16:27 Gujarat legend goes to South Block
Rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt reports from New Delhi: Jagdish Thakkar, the 76-year-old former Gujarat govt official is being called to New Delhi. Thakkar has been Narendra Modi's media handler in Gandhinagar. He is a living legend in Gandhinagar because he has been retained by all chief ministers who have served Gujarat in the lasT 30 years. He is an astute observer of journalists and writes out error-free press releases. Even though he has officially retired, he has never really been able to sit at home. This legend now goes to South Block with Modi.
16:23
All the eight SAARC leaders invited for Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony.
16:07
Modi is expected to leave Gujarat Bhavan for Rashtrapati Bhawan at 5:45 pm.
16:02 Madhu Kishwar 'prefers watching ceremony from TV studio'
Madhu Kishwar tweets: Decided to skip swearing-in ceremony in favour of commitment to Aaj Tak & Headlines Today. Prefer watching ceremony from safety of TV studio.
16:00 Modi distributes Tirupati prasad at Gujarat Bhawan meet
Narendra Modi offers prasad from Lord Balaji's temple in Tirupati to all those who attended the meeting at Gujarat Bhawan this morning. That included -- Tirupati laddu and vada (prasad).
15:46
UP train accident: Death toll rises to 40, over 100 injured.
15:43 LIVE! Menu at Modi's durbar: Galouti kabab, Kadhi, Dal Makhani, Prawn Chettinad, Sandesh
On the menu at Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony:
Chilled Melon Soup, Chicken Hazarvi (Chicken pieces marinated in mixture of cheese, cream and cooked in clay oven), Tandoori Aloo, Galauti Kabab, Arbi Ke Kabab, Prawn Stew, Chicken Chettinad, Kadhi, | Birbali Kofta Curry, Jaipuri Bhindi, Kela Methi Nu Shaak, Dal Makhani Potol Dolma, Steamed Basmati Rice, assorted Indian Breads, Cucumber Raita/Papad, Shrikhand, Pineapple Halwa, Sandesh, Green Tea/ South Indian Coffee.
Chilled Melon Soup, Chicken Hazarvi (Chicken pieces marinated in mixture of cheese, cream and cooked in clay oven), Tandoori Aloo, Galauti Kabab, Arbi Ke Kabab, Prawn Stew, Chicken Chettinad, Kadhi, | Birbali Kofta Curry, Jaipuri Bhindi, Kela Methi Nu Shaak, Dal Makhani Potol Dolma, Steamed Basmati Rice, assorted Indian Breads, Cucumber Raita/Papad, Shrikhand, Pineapple Halwa, Sandesh, Green Tea/ South Indian Coffee.
15:28 IN PHOTOS: Meet Modi's council of ministers
Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi is expected to have a 45-member council of ministers who will take oath along with him on Monday evening. The council of ministers is likely to have 23 Cabinet ministers, 10 ministers of state with independent charge and 11 ministers of state, according to sources. There are 26 less ministers in Modi's Cabinet compared to the UPA II council of ministers. Here's a quick look.
15:24
Smriti Irani: Day of rejoicing for those who believe in democracy,assure we shall fulfill each pledge that we made.
15:22
Humei poori umeed hai ki acche din jaldi aa jayenge,petrol diesel ke daam kam ho jayenge,aatankwaad khatam ho jayega, Rajiv Shukla,Congress, gets snarky.
15:14 SAARC masterstroke at Dilli durbar
Maldives President Abdulla Yameen arrives in Delhi. India exudes two contrasting signals of simultaneous patronising and showing humility to its neighbours.
The ceremony has all the trappings of a royal coronation at the Delhi darbar where regional satraps, call them SAARC heads, have been seemingly called in for attendance. Over 3000 well-chosen guests will witness the majestic opening of the "make-or-break' BJP government today.
The ceremony has all the trappings of a royal coronation at the Delhi darbar where regional satraps, call them SAARC heads, have been seemingly called in for attendance. Over 3000 well-chosen guests will witness the majestic opening of the "make-or-break' BJP government today.
15:11
Nitin Gokhale tweets: Ajit Doval may have said he hasn't got a call yet but by evening he would be formulating India's national security policy for sure!
Ajit Kumar Doval is likely to be the National Security Advisor (NSA). Doval, who was Intelligence Bureau chief under the Vajpayee government, has been seen as frontrunner for the post of national security advisor. Doval also held the posts of chief of Multi-Agency Centre and Joint Intelligence Task Force and was known to be the most trusted man of then home minister L K Advani in the internal security establishment.
Ajit Kumar Doval is likely to be the National Security Advisor (NSA). Doval, who was Intelligence Bureau chief under the Vajpayee government, has been seen as frontrunner for the post of national security advisor. Doval also held the posts of chief of Multi-Agency Centre and Joint Intelligence Task Force and was known to be the most trusted man of then home minister L K Advani in the internal security establishment.
15:08 "It is a great moment. And a great opportunity"
Pak PM Nawaz Sharif has said that this is a chance for Pakistan and India to reach out to each other. "Both governments have a strong mandate. This could help in turning a new page in our relations. No two nations have ever possessed so much of cultural and traditional similarities as India and Pakistan, so why not turn the similarities into our strengths?
"I very much look forward to meeting Mr Modi. We should remove fears, mistrust and misgivings about each other. Both countries should rid the region of instability and security that has plagued us for decades. This is the same BJP's Prime Minister Vajpayee for whom I have the greatest of respect. I intend taking up threads from where Vajpayee and I left off in 1999."
Pic: That's Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai arriving in Delhi earlier today.
"I very much look forward to meeting Mr Modi. We should remove fears, mistrust and misgivings about each other. Both countries should rid the region of instability and security that has plagued us for decades. This is the same BJP's Prime Minister Vajpayee for whom I have the greatest of respect. I intend taking up threads from where Vajpayee and I left off in 1999."
Pic: That's Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai arriving in Delhi earlier today.
14:56
Former president Pratibha Patil will also be there at Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony this evening. She says she has "come to extend greetings to him, everyone is hopeful he'll do good work."
14:51 Modi will meet Dr Singh before Sharif
According to a source in the Prime Minister's Office, PM-designate Narendra Modi will hold a one-on-one meeting with outgoing prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
Modi's meeting with Dr Singh, totally unexpected and unique in all respects, is likely to take place after his swearing-in ceremony, and before his bilateral meeting with visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday.
What is important is that once Modi takes over as PM, the protocol is that a former PM will have to drive down to meet him. But, since Dr Singh has been in office for 10 years and is much older than Modi, in all likelihood it will be the latter who will call on Dr Singh.
Both the dignitaries will talk about Pakistan and other countries of the neighbourhood, besides exchanging pleasantries. After all, who knows better about Pakistan and other SAARC countries than Dr Singh?
Their meeting will be watched avidly since Modi had run a bitter election campaign against Dr Singh, his government and his party.
Modi's meeting with Dr Singh, totally unexpected and unique in all respects, is likely to take place after his swearing-in ceremony, and before his bilateral meeting with visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday.
What is important is that once Modi takes over as PM, the protocol is that a former PM will have to drive down to meet him. But, since Dr Singh has been in office for 10 years and is much older than Modi, in all likelihood it will be the latter who will call on Dr Singh.
Both the dignitaries will talk about Pakistan and other countries of the neighbourhood, besides exchanging pleasantries. After all, who knows better about Pakistan and other SAARC countries than Dr Singh?
Their meeting will be watched avidly since Modi had run a bitter election campaign against Dr Singh, his government and his party.
14:36 LIVE! Modi's new rule? Children of BJP leaders won't get Cabinet berths
Narendra Modi enforces a new rule that no children of BJP leaders will get cabinet berths. Which is why Poonam Mahajan (the late Pramod Mahajan's daughter), Dushyant Singh (Vasundhara Raje's son), Jayant Sinha (Yashwant Sinha) don't get to be ministers.
Other dynasties in the BJP are: Abhishek Singh -- son of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh. He contested his first parliamentary election from Rajnandgaon and is the youngest parliamentarian in the state. The there is Parvesh Verma, son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma and Chirag Paswan, son of the Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas Paswan.
Other dynasties in the BJP are: Abhishek Singh -- son of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh. He contested his first parliamentary election from Rajnandgaon and is the youngest parliamentarian in the state. The there is Parvesh Verma, son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma and Chirag Paswan, son of the Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas Paswan.
14:23 Dr Singh condoles deaths in Gorakhdham train accident
Here's the press release from Dr Manmohan Singh: "The Prime Minister has expressed deep sorrow and shock over the loss of life in the rail accident near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh in which the Gorakhdham express derailed.
"The Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Railways to deploy all available resources in the area for the rescue and relief operations. He has also appealed for calm in the area so that rescue and relief operations can be carried out smoothly."
"The Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Railways to deploy all available resources in the area for the rescue and relief operations. He has also appealed for calm in the area so that rescue and relief operations can be carried out smoothly."
14:17 An Indian Revolutionary
What is it about the Modi mandate that provokes such fear of fundamental change? Read Swapan Dasgupta's piece on Caravan.
14:13 LIVE! Even on swearing-in day Modi keeps an eye on Guj by meeting new CM
Chief Minister Anandiben Patel met Narendra Modi at Gujarat Bhawan in Delhi today. Narendra Modi still keeping an eye over Gujarat affairs.
14:12
Supreme Court stays the trial in the assets case against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
14:11
Ram Madhav, RSS: All SAARC countries accepting invite shows they regard India as an influential country in the region.
14:07
We have very high expectations, hope he will live up to it, Hussain Sharif, son of Nawaz Sharif, says.
13:56
Tavleen Singh: Arrived in the Taj Hotel to see Nawaz Sharif's son being mobbed by Indian TV reporters. Eternal fascination with Pakistan!!
13:55
Narendra Modi tweets condolences for Gorakhdham train accident. "My condolences to families of those who lost their lives in the Gorakhdham express tragedy. Prayers with the injured. Spoke to the Cabinet Secretary. Asked him to take an overview of the situation & ensure timely assistance to those injured."
13:53
Afghanistan prez Hamid Karzai met Dr Manmohan Singh after he reached New Delhi this morning.
13:53 HC to hear tomorrow plea for Kejriwal's release from jail
The Delhi High Court today agreed to hear a petition seeking immediate release of Arvind Kejriwal, who was sent to jail after he refused to furnish bail bond in a criminal defamation complaint against him.
The petition submitted that he has been "illegally sent to judicial custody" on a wrong premise of law. The plea was mentioned by advocate Prashant Bhushan before a bench of justices B D Ahmed and S Mridul which said it would be listed tomorrow for hearing before the court concerned.
The petition submitted that he has been "illegally sent to judicial custody" on a wrong premise of law. The plea was mentioned by advocate Prashant Bhushan before a bench of justices B D Ahmed and S Mridul which said it would be listed tomorrow for hearing before the court concerned.
13:39
LK Advani is likely to be Protem speaker as he is the senior MP in boht houses.
13:34 Amit Mitra to represent Mamata at Modi's swearing-in
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is giving the Modi's swearing-in ceremony a miss, but Bengal finance minister Amit Mitra will represent the government at the ceremony.
13:31
Nitin Gadkari tweets: Narendra Modi clearly tells all ministers that they have to work for 18 hours a day, its time to work.
Hema Malini on Modi: People have high hopes from him, am sure he will fulfill them.
Hema Malini on Modi: People have high hopes from him, am sure he will fulfill them.
13:24 Jaitley may get three ministries
Arun Jaitley may just have to juggle three portfolios -- Finance, Corporate Affairs and a third, which is still under wraps. While the cabinet takes oath today, portfolios will be announced, at 8 pm.
Another task that's done and dusted is the draft speech for President Pranab Mukherjee. Jaitely has prepared the bullet points for the draft speech to the joint session of Parliament which is likely to be held on June 9, Monday.
It includes a mention of the massive victory of the BJP and the decimation of the Congress.
Another task that's done and dusted is the draft speech for President Pranab Mukherjee. Jaitely has prepared the bullet points for the draft speech to the joint session of Parliament which is likely to be held on June 9, Monday.
It includes a mention of the massive victory of the BJP and the decimation of the Congress.
13:09 Other likely ministries
Radha Mohan Singh, the MP from Purvi Champaran, to get agriculture, with Muzaffarnagar's Sanjay Baliyan as his MoS. While on the topic, don't miss reading what Sheela Bhatt had reported on Baliyan from Muzaffarnagar. Read the report here.
13:07 Shiv Sena, Akali Dal, TDP to have ministers
So, the BJP allies who are likely to enter the new Cabinet are Anant Geete, the Shiv Sena MP from Raigad, Maharashtra, who has been elected as leader of his party's Parliamentary Party, the Akali Dal's Harsimrat Kaur who recently the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat for the second time, and Telugu Desam's veteran Ashok Gajapathi Raju, who has been elected from Vizianagaram.
13:06 Rajnath tweets condolences for Gorakhdham Express accident
Rajnath Singh tweets: My heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved families. I wish for speedy recovery of those who got injured in the train accident. Deeply saddened to know of the Gorakhdham Express tragedy in which many precious lives have been lost and several others have been injured.
13:04 Uma Bharti may head new Ganga cleanup ministry
Ganga Ma, Narendra Modi said famously, called him to Varanasi. At Varanasi, Modi said first on his agenda would be the cleaning-up the Ganga. That promise is set to become a reality with a new ministry likely to be created to oversee the Ganga's clean-up. And the MP likely to be made in charge of this ministry? None other than Uma Bharti, the BJP MP from Jhansi.
13:00 Modi's 44 member cabinet
Those likely to be sworn-in as Cabinet ministers include Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj, Venkaiah Naidu, Sadanand Gowda, Uma Bharati, Najma Heptulla, Gopinath Munde, Kalraj Mishra, Maneka Gandhi, Anant Kumar, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Smriti Irani, Harsh Vardhan and Thavarchand Gehlot. Other Cabinet ministers are Ram Vilas Paswan (of LJP), Ashok Gajpati Raju (TDP), Anant Geete (Shiv Sena), Harsimrat Kaur (Akali Dal), Narendra Singh Tomar, Jual Oram and Radhamohan Singh. The MoS with Independent Charge include Rao Inderjit Singh, Gen (retd) V K Singh, Santosh Gangwar, Sripad Naik, Dharmendra Pradhan, Sarvanand Sonwal, Prakash Javadekar, Piyush Goel, Jitendra Singh and Nirmala Sitharaman. The MoS are G M Sidheswara, Manoj Sinha, Upendra Kushwaha, P Radhakrishan, Kiran Rijiju, Krishna Pal Gujjar, Sanjay Kumar Balyan, Mansukhbhai Vasava, Rao Saab Danve, Vishnu Dev Sai and Sudarshan Bhagat.
13:00 Modi's 44 member cabinet
Narendra Modi, who will be sworn is as Prime Minister this evening, is likely to head a 45-member Union Council of Ministers including 24 with Cabinet rank, informed sources said today.
The sources said that besides the Cabinet Ministers, there are likely to be 10 Ministers of State with Independent Charge and 11 MoS.
However, there was no official confirmation either from the Rashtrapati Bhavan or Gujarat Bhavan where Modi has been holding hectic parleys over government formation for the last few days.
The list of ministers without portfolios has been sent to Rashtrapati Bhavan.
BJP President Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, former BJP chiefs Nitin Gadkari and Venkaiah Naidu, Sushma Swaraj, Ravishankar Prasad and Anant Geete (Shiv Sena) are among the Cabinet Ministers who are likely to take oath at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The sources said that besides the Cabinet Ministers, there are likely to be 10 Ministers of State with Independent Charge and 11 MoS.
However, there was no official confirmation either from the Rashtrapati Bhavan or Gujarat Bhavan where Modi has been holding hectic parleys over government formation for the last few days.
The list of ministers without portfolios has been sent to Rashtrapati Bhavan.
BJP President Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, former BJP chiefs Nitin Gadkari and Venkaiah Naidu, Sushma Swaraj, Ravishankar Prasad and Anant Geete (Shiv Sena) are among the Cabinet Ministers who are likely to take oath at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
12:57 10 dead, 10 injured in Gorakhnath Express accident
Ten people have been killed after the Gorakhpur-bound Gorakhnath Express
rammed into a stationary goods train near Khalilabad in Uttar Pradesh.
At least 10 more passengers were also injured in the accident. The
incident took place this morning when the express train came on the same
track near Churaid Railway Station, officials said.
12:52 Modi and the Rashtrapati
One of the interesting things about Narendra Modi's meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee last week to stake claim to form the next government was the positive body language between the two leaders. Confirming this, sources say that the President has emerged as a friend, philosopher and guide to the PM-designate, who is an outsider in New Delhi's power circuit.
12:36
Subramaniam Swamy tweets: As I tweeted earlier our mission of removing TDK has been achieved. My not becoming a Minister is PM's prerogative for whatever reason.
12:33
Who will be LS speaker? Names doing the rounds so far: Karia Munda, Sumitra Mahajan and Dr MMJ.
12:28
Here are the numbers expected in Narendra Modi's cabinet: 23 ministers to be of Cabinet rank, 10 Ministers of State with Independent Charge and 11 Ministers of State.
12:27 LIVE! Nirmala Sitharaman: commerce and industry, Smriti: HRD?
Nirmala Sitharaman, the BJP's national spokesperson, is likely to be the new commerce and industry minister. Wonder what is her qualification for the post? This should tell you.
Smriti Irani, who put a scare into the Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi at Amethi, is likely to be the new HRD minister, while petroleum ministry may go to Dharmendra Pradhan. Read this.
Former Karnataka chief minister Sadanand Gowda and MP from Bangalore North, is likely to get railways.
Smriti Irani, who put a scare into the Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi at Amethi, is likely to be the new HRD minister, while petroleum ministry may go to Dharmendra Pradhan. Read this.
Former Karnataka chief minister Sadanand Gowda and MP from Bangalore North, is likely to get railways.
12:26 Sitharaman to enter RS with Naidus blessing
Seemandhra's chief minister-designate N Chandrababu Naidu may have a hand in BJP national spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman making it to the Union Cabinet -- she is not a member of either House.
But thanks to Naidu, Sitharaman may make it to Rajya Sabha in June 2014 from Andhra, filling the vacancy caused by N Janardhan Reddy's death. Reddy's tenure has two more years left.
But thanks to Naidu, Sitharaman may make it to Rajya Sabha in June 2014 from Andhra, filling the vacancy caused by N Janardhan Reddy's death. Reddy's tenure has two more years left.
12:20 Why did Modi choose May 26 for swearing-in ceremony
Narendra Modi personally chose May 26 as
the date to be sworn into office because he hopes to recast himself as
Prime Minister in elements of Jawaharlal Nehrus persona after having
built a suitably different narrative around Vallabhbhai Patel during the
build-up to the Lok Sabha election that catapulted him into Nehrus
chair.
May 27 is the 50th death anniversary of Nehru. Once he is sworn in as Prime Minister on the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan at 6pm on Monday, Modi, according to his schedule now under preparation, will enter the Prime Ministers Office next door only the following day.
May 27 is when the entire nation pays homage to the countrys first Prime Minister who enjoys a special place not only in Indias history but also of the then colonised world.
12:17
Nripendra Mishra appointed as Principal Secretary to Prime Minister.
12:13 Vaiko holds demonstration againt Rajapaksa
DMK chief Vaiko, an NDA ally, today held a protest in the national capital against the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa for Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony.
Vaiko held a black-flag demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The MDMK chief had opposed the invitation extended to the Sri Lankan President and had asked the Prime Minister-designate as well as BJP President Rajnath Singh to reconsider the decision.
Vaiko held a black-flag demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The MDMK chief had opposed the invitation extended to the Sri Lankan President and had asked the Prime Minister-designate as well as BJP President Rajnath Singh to reconsider the decision.
12:11
The Gorakhdam Express collides with a Goods train near Sant Kabir Nagar,casualties feared. Details awaited.
12:09 Ajit Kumar Doval to be National Security Advisor
Just in: Ajit Kumar Doval to be National Security Advisor (NSA). Doval, who was Intelligence Bureau chief under the Vajpayee government, has been seen as frontrunner for the post of national security advisor. Doval also held the posts of chief of Multi-Agency Centre and Joint Intelligence Task Force and was known to be the most trusted man of then home minister L K Advani in the internal security establishment.
Pic: PM Sushil Koirala of Nepal arrives in Delhi
Pic: PM Sushil Koirala of Nepal arrives in Delhi
12:06 Teams work on houses for PMs outgoing and in waiting
There has been no official word from Narendra Modi on specifications for the bungalow where he will move in after he takes oath of office as prime minister Monday. The urban development department has, however, readied 5 Race Course Road, one of the bungalows on the compound where the PM's-office-cum-residence is located. Read
12:03 Cabinet ministers?
Sadananda Gowda, Gopinath Munde, Ram Vilas Paswan, Kalraj Mishra, Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, Venkaiah Naidu, Uma Bharti, Najma Heptullah likely to be Cabinet ministers.
11:57 No place for Advani, Joshi, Shourie in Modi Cabinet?
With all the talk about who gets what in a Modi Cabinet, where do the seniors fit in?
The PM-designate is said to have taken a conscious decision to usher in generational change with today's announcement of ministers, and BJP leaders above 75 years of age were not considered by him.
So it is likely that you won't see L K Advani, MM Joshi, Arun Shourie being ministers under Modi. Others not expected to be made ministers are Karia Munda and Rajiv Pratap Rudy.
The size of Modi's Cabinet, say sources, will be 40, not more.
The PM-designate is said to have taken a conscious decision to usher in generational change with today's announcement of ministers, and BJP leaders above 75 years of age were not considered by him.
So it is likely that you won't see L K Advani, MM Joshi, Arun Shourie being ministers under Modi. Others not expected to be made ministers are Karia Munda and Rajiv Pratap Rudy.
The size of Modi's Cabinet, say sources, will be 40, not more.
11:55
So, what we have so far is this: 23 cabinet ministers, 10 ministers of state with independent charge, 11 Ministers of state to be sworn in today.
11:54 LIVE! Arun Jaitley may get finance AND defence
No other portfolio in the new government has generated as much interest as defence, with speculation rife over what Narendra Modi will do. Will he retain defence with himself, and have a junior minister handling it under him?
NDTV suggests that this is the path likely to be taken by the prime minister-designate.
However, our own sources say that Arun Jaitley, who is likely to be the new finance minister, will get additional charge of defence till the final decision on the important portfolio is taken by Modi at a later stage.
NDTV suggests that this is the path likely to be taken by the prime minister-designate.
However, our own sources say that Arun Jaitley, who is likely to be the new finance minister, will get additional charge of defence till the final decision on the important portfolio is taken by Modi at a later stage.
11:50 Will it rain at Modi's swearing-in?
Will it be a wet swearing-in ceremony for Narendra Modi today? It will at least be cooler. Delhi woke up to a temperature of 21.4 degree Celsius, six notches below normal. According to the MeT department, 12.6 mm rainfall was recorded in the city from 8:30 am yesterday till 8.30 am today. The humidity level recorded in the morning till 8.30 am was 57 per cent. "It may get partly cloudy in the later half of day and thundery conditions may prevail in some areas," said the weatherman. The maximum temperature is expected to rise to 38 degree Celsius.
11:46 Babus get set to receive Modi
With new ministers set to arrive in their offices on Tuesday, a celebratory mood has set in in various Bhavans and Blocks that house the ministries in anticipation of serious business once again being taken up. Central government employees even distributed sweets and laddoos, apparently, though it is hard to believe that they would look forward to a strict Modi regime.
11:45 Shastri Bhavan to get a new photo gallery?
The photographs of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, BJP leader LK Advani, Jana Sangh leader Deendayal Upadhyaya, and PM-designate Narendra Modi were reportedly being taken inside New Delhis Shastri Bhavan by a BJP member, setting off speculation that the new ministers chambers will display them.
11:39
A list of 23 cabinet ministers and 10 MoS has been sent to the president. Modi is believed to be pruning ministries.
11:38 Narendra Modi may keep defence
Unconfirmed yet, but Narendra Modi is likely to keep the Defence portfolio Sushma Swaraj may get External Affairs, Rajnath Singh may get Home Affairs, while Arun Jaitley may get finance.
11:26 Venkaiah Naidu may get urban development
A list of 34 Cabinet ministers has been sent to President Pranab Mukherjee.
Another former president of the BJP who is likely to enter the Union Cabinet is M Venkaiah Naidu. But unlike debutant Nitin Gadkari, Naidu has served in the Union Cabinet before, as rural development minister under Prime Minister A B Vajpayee.
Naidu is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha, having been elected to the Upper House in July 2010. He will be made minister for urban development in Narendra Modis Cabinet.
Another former president of the BJP who is likely to enter the Union Cabinet is M Venkaiah Naidu. But unlike debutant Nitin Gadkari, Naidu has served in the Union Cabinet before, as rural development minister under Prime Minister A B Vajpayee.
Naidu is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha, having been elected to the Upper House in July 2010. He will be made minister for urban development in Narendra Modis Cabinet.
11:21
Pak PM Sharif says Pakistan wants good relations with India and that he was going to New Delhi with a "message of peace".
11:19 LIVE! Nawaz Sharif, wife, son, in Delhi; bilateral meet at 12:30 pm tomorrow
The Indo-Pak bilateral talks will be held tomorrow at 12:30 pm. After his meeting with Narendra Modi, Nawaz Sharif will meet President Pranab Mukherjee. Sharif is accompanied by his wife Kulsoom Nawaz and son Hussain Nawaz.
11:10
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has arrived for Modi's swearing-in ceremony.
11:06 Ex-BJP chief and first-time MP likely to enter Cabinet
Well, we know that Rajnath Singh is likely to be the new home minister, Arun Jaitley may get finance, Sushma Reddy could go to MEA and Ravi Shankar Prasad may get I&B, law and telecom.
Among the others, speculation has been intense if former BJP chief and first-time Lok Sabha MP, Nitin Gadkari, will get any portfolio in Narendra Modi's Cabinet, and we can say that yes, he will be a Union minister, in charge of ports and surface transport.
Gadkari, who defeated the Congress's veteran MP, Vilas Muttemwar, from Nagpur, last held a ministerial position in the Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra in 1995-99. He was in charge of PWD, and is widely credited with getting the Pune Expressway done as well as improving the lot of Maharashtra's highways.
10:48
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has left for India to attend Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony.
10:48 Quoted after meeting with Modi at Gujarat Bhawan
Quoted after meeting with Modi at Gujarat Bhawan:
Met Modiji over tea, thankful to him for giving me this opportunity (potential Cabinet berth) -- Radha Mohan Singh, BJP.
It was just an informal meeting over tea -- Najma Heptullah
Met Modiji over tea, thankful to him for giving me this opportunity (potential Cabinet berth) -- Radha Mohan Singh, BJP.
It was just an informal meeting over tea -- Najma Heptullah
10:41 Rajapaksa, Mauritius PM Ramgoolam land in Delhi for Modi's swearing-in
Prime Minister of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam and President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa have arrived in Delhi to attend Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony.
Image: President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa arrives in New Delhi. Photo courtesy: ANI
Image: President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa arrives in New Delhi. Photo courtesy: ANI
10:03 Sensex regains 25,000 mark ahead of Modi's swearing-in
The benchmark BSE Sensex regained the 25,000 mark by soaring 344 points in opening trade today on increased buying by foreign funds and retail investors ahead of swearing-in of Narendra Modi as the 15th prime minister of India.
Rising for the third straight session, the 30-share Sensex shot up by 344.19 points, or 1.39 per cent, to trade at 25,037.54 with all the sectoral indices, led by power, PSUs, capital goods, auto, realty and banking sectors, trading in positive zone and rising up to 2.13 per cent.
The gauge, which earlier breached the 25,000 mark on May 16, had climbed 395.33 points in the past two sessions. On similar lines, the 50-share NSE Nifty reclaimed the 7,400-level by spurting 90.35 points, or 1.22 per cent, to trade at 7,457.45.
Rising for the third straight session, the 30-share Sensex shot up by 344.19 points, or 1.39 per cent, to trade at 25,037.54 with all the sectoral indices, led by power, PSUs, capital goods, auto, realty and banking sectors, trading in positive zone and rising up to 2.13 per cent.
The gauge, which earlier breached the 25,000 mark on May 16, had climbed 395.33 points in the past two sessions. On similar lines, the 50-share NSE Nifty reclaimed the 7,400-level by spurting 90.35 points, or 1.22 per cent, to trade at 7,457.45.
10:02 List of ministers to be sworn-in sent to President
A list of ministers to be included in the Cabinet has been sent to President Pranab Mukherjee. The list has 34 names.
09:59 BJP weighs options in favour of fresh face for party president
As party president Rajnath Singh is set to become the Home minister, the BJP and the RSS are weighing the option in favour of a young face for the top post. The contest is between J P Nadda of Himachal Pradesh and Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
But new names can also crop up. The final decision will only be taken after June 4 because it requires co-ordination of many opinions in the BJP and the RSS.
But new names can also crop up. The final decision will only be taken after June 4 because it requires co-ordination of many opinions in the BJP and the RSS.
09:36 Rajnikanth not to attend Modi swearing-in ceremony
Tamil superstar Rajnikanth, who had been invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi today, will not attend the function, sources close to the actor said. They said the actor was not in town and, therefore, would not attend the ceremony, which will see Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, among other dignitaries, grace the occasion.
The sources did not divulge any further information. The actor's move comes in the wake of a fringe student outfit staging a protest near his house last night, asking him to stay away from the ceremony in the light of Rajapaksa's participation.
All political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the ruling AIADMK and also the DMK, have opposed the invitation extended to Rajapaksa. Earlier, during his election campaign in Chennai, Modi had taken time off and met Rajnikanth at his residence.
He had extended an invitation to Rajnikanth for the swearing-in ceremony today.
The sources did not divulge any further information. The actor's move comes in the wake of a fringe student outfit staging a protest near his house last night, asking him to stay away from the ceremony in the light of Rajapaksa's participation.
All political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the ruling AIADMK and also the DMK, have opposed the invitation extended to Rajapaksa. Earlier, during his election campaign in Chennai, Modi had taken time off and met Rajnikanth at his residence.
He had extended an invitation to Rajnikanth for the swearing-in ceremony today.
09:14 Queues at Gujarat Bhawan as Modi begins calling team members
BJP leaders are flocking to Gujarat Bhawan as Modi has begun calling his team members. Gopinath Munde, Ramvilas Paswan, Ravishankar Prasad, Ananth Kumar and Sushma Swaraj are at Gujarat Bhawan to meet Narendra Modi.
According to reports, V K Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, Harsh Vardhan and Dharmendra Pradahan have also gotten calls from Modi.
Image: Sushma swaraj arrives at Gujarat Bhawan. Photograph: ANI
According to reports, V K Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, Harsh Vardhan and Dharmendra Pradahan have also gotten calls from Modi.
Image: Sushma swaraj arrives at Gujarat Bhawan. Photograph: ANI
09:03 Modi meets Atal Bihari Vajpayee, seeks blessings
A while after he payed homage to mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat, Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi met former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and sought his blessings.
08:42 Modi starts his day, pays tributes to Mahatma gandhi at Rajghat
Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi will arrive at Rajghat in New Delhi to pay homage to Mahatama Gandh in a few moments from now.
08:05 Modi starts his day, pays tributes to Mahatma gandhi at Rajghat
Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi has arrived at Rajghat to pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. He was accompanied by Meenakshi Lekhi, Harsh Vardhan and Prakash Javadekar.
07:50 Prithviraj Chavan will not attend Modi's swearing-in today
Anita Katyal reports from New Delhi: Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan will not be attending Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in function Today.
Chavan was in New Delhi on Sunday for a meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi where he explained the reasons for the party's rout in Maharashtra.
The Congress won only two seats in the state. Although Chavan has received an invitation for Modi's swearing-in, he is not staying back for the programme. He is instead leaving for Mumbai on Monday morning.
Kerala chief minister Oomen Chandy and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are also not attending the function.
Chavan was in New Delhi on Sunday for a meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi where he explained the reasons for the party's rout in Maharashtra.
The Congress won only two seats in the state. Although Chavan has received an invitation for Modi's swearing-in, he is not staying back for the programme. He is instead leaving for Mumbai on Monday morning.
Kerala chief minister Oomen Chandy and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are also not attending the function.
07:47 6,000 security men for Modi's swearing-in ceremony
IBNLIVE reports: With more than 3,000 VVIPs expected to attend Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony on Monday, security is at its peak in the national capital.Officials are busy in last round of preparations for the open-air ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan forecourt.
Five-tier security is in place in Delhi with as many as 6,000 security personnel including SPG and para military personnel deployed in and around the Rashtrapati Bhawan to secure 3,500 Indian and foreign dignitaries.
Read the full story here
Five-tier security is in place in Delhi with as many as 6,000 security personnel including SPG and para military personnel deployed in and around the Rashtrapati Bhawan to secure 3,500 Indian and foreign dignitaries.
Read the full story here
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