Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah swearing-in: Mamata opts out, DKS invites all

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to skip the swearing-in ceremony of Karnataka Chief Minister-elect Siddaramaiah, scheduled to be held on May 20.

Banerjee, who the Congress invited to attend the ceremony, has conveyed her best wishes and designated Dr. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Trinamool’s Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha, to attend the event.

“Akhand Karnataka has at last arrived at the eagerly awaited historic moment. I cordially welcome everyone to attend the swearing-in ceremony to be held at Kantheerava Stadium tomorrow.”: @DKShivakumar pic.twitter.com/uKKAEzVwsP

— West Bengal Congress (@INCWestBengal) May 19, 2023

However, she has designated TMC’s deputy leader in Lok Sabha Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar to attend the ceremony.

“The Karnataka Chief Minister-designate Siddaramaiah and his other colleagues called to personally invite Trinamool Congress supremo and Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for the swearing-in ceremony tomorrow.”

The CM designate of Karnataka Mr Siddaramaiah & his other colleagues called to personally invite @AITCofficial Chairperson & Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for swearing-in tomorrow

She conveyed her best wishes & designated @kakoligdastidar #TMC Deputy Leader in LS to attend ceremony

— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) May 19, 2023

The decision comes amid reports that Banerjee is planning to launch a nationwide movement against the Narendra Modi government.

Banerjee’s decision to skip Siddaramaiah’s swearing-in ceremony is likely to be seen as a snub to the Congress. The Congress had hoped that Banerjee’s presence at the event would help to boost the morale of its leaders and workers in Karnataka.

The swearing-in ceremony of Siddaramaiah is expected to be a major show of strength by the Opposition. A number of top Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, and Chandrababu Naidu, are expected to attend the event.

#KarnatakaCM swearing-in ceremony | Karnataka Congress has extended invitations to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, Tamil Nadu CM… pic.twitter.com/5vmBRa3YMj

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2023

The swearing-in ceremony is also expected to be a major test for the Congress. The party hopes to show that it is capable of forming the government in Karnataka and that it is a viable alternative to the BJP.