Who’s In and Who’s Out: President’s Droupadi Murmu G20 Special Dinner

NEW DELHI: A flurry of excitement is sweeping the nation as President Draupadi Murmu prepares to host a high-profile G20 dinner this Saturday in the heart of Delhi. The guest list for this illustrious event is making waves, featuring an array of Cabinet and state ministers, Chief Ministers from every corner of India, Secretaries to the Government of India, and a collection of other esteemed guests. The event is further elevated by the inclusion of former Prime Ministers Dr Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda, although the latter has chosen to forgo the event due to health concerns. 

Interestingly, leaders of political parties find themselves absent from the invitee list. One notable non-invitee is Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha who holds a cabinet minister rank, sources have confirmed. 

Confirmed attendees for this grand affair include a lineup of Chief Ministers like Nitish Kumar of Bihar, Hemant Soren of Jharkhand, Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal, MK Stalin of Tamil Nadu, Arvind Kejriwal of Delhi, and Bhagwant Mann of Punjab. 

This comes on the heels of a recent controversy where President Draupadi Murmu was referred to as the “President of Bharat” rather than “President of India.” The guest list, as sources indicate, is brimming with cabinet and state ministers, chief ministers, government secretaries, and other distinguished individuals. 

Notably absent from the invitee list is Mallikarjun Kharge, despite being a Member of Parliament, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, and President of the grand old party. This could potentially be attributed to his non-ministerial status within the central or state governments, as per sources. 

Mamata Banerjee’s decision to attend the event might come as a surprise to some, given her previous objections to the invitation’s wording. However, her attendance could be linked to her strong ties with Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, who is also expected to be present. The Trinamool Congress chief and Sheikh Hasina share a warm relationship, leading to speculation that Banerjee might have additional engagements in New Delhi. 

Rahul Sinha, a senior leader from Bengal’s BJP, has voiced his support for Banerjee’s decision to attend, emphasizing the significance of representing West Bengal on this global platform. 

The G20 Summit’s lavish dinner

The G20 Summit’s lavish dinner will take place at the multi-function hall of Bharat Mandapam, nestled within the newly refurbished India Trade Promotion Organisation complex at Pragati Maidan in Delhi. The venue promises a spacious seating arrangement and an evening featuring a delightful cultural program accompanied by a delectable meal. 

Expect to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi in action as he personally welcomes each visiting head of state at the venue and hosts a working lunch on the same day. The G20 Summit, happening under India’s presidency, is slated for September 9 and 10 in Delhi. It will witness a gathering of heads of state from around the globe, including US President Joe Biden.

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