Uncertainty continued over the participation of the BJP’s allies from Tamil Nadu in the swearing-in of Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled in Delhi for Monday.
Though no other party, barring the PMK, was able to win a single Lok Sabha seat to even qualify for a berth in Mr. Modi’s Cabinet, the participation of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the event has further embarrassed them.
MDMK general secretary Vaiko, upset at the invitation extended to Mr. Rajapaksa, has announced he will lead a black-flag protest at Jantar Mantar in the capital on Monday.
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The former Union Minister, Anbumani Ramadoss, the only candidate from the BJP-led coalition to win a seat, is in Delhi, hoping to get a berth in the Cabinet. But his father and PMK founder, S. Ramadoss, has abstained from the hurly-burly of political activities and even issued a statement against Mr. Rajapaksa’s participation. Sources said Mr. Anbumani was likely to attend the swearing-in. PMK president G. K. Mani is already in New Delhi.
DMDK leader Vijayakant is probably the only ally who has taken a soft view of Mr. Rajapaksa’s visit, saying that the Sri Lankan President’s participation should be seen in the context of the invitation extended to all heads of state of the SAARC.