Manmohan Singh Invited For G20 Dinner, Congress President Kharge Isn’t

The invitations to the President’s G20 dinner addressed President Droupadi Murmu as the “President of Bharat” rather than the traditional “President of India,” has caused political uproar. Opposition parties have sharply criticized the action, alleging that the government is aiming to rename the nation Bharat.

The Centre has invited former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda as the situation continues to simmer. Deve Gowda, the patriarch of the JD(S), stated he will not be going to the event due to health issues. Manmohan Singh, the Congress leader who has also been ill for a while, did not confirm it.

Nitish Kumar, the chief minister of Bihar, is also anticipated to attend the dinner. The JD(U) leader will depart for Delhi on Saturday at 10.45 AM. At the gala, Kumar is likely to run into Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which would be their first encounter since July 2022.

However, the President has not sent invitations to some prominent members of the opposition, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The opposition INDIA group has criticized the snub.

“It tells you that they don’t value the Leader of the Opposition. Hence, they didn’t invite use for the G20 Summit,” said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, adding that he too did not get an invitation to the dinner.

The US, UK, Canada, and the European Union will all send top leaders to the G20 Summit, which is scheduled for September 9–10 in Delhi. The summit will take place at Pragati Maidan’s Bharat Mandapam, which has been lavishly decorated to welcome foreign delegates.

The President’s G20 dinner is scheduled for Saturday and will be held at a brand-new $300 million venue designed like a conch shell. The meal will have Indian cuisine with a focus on millets, a grain that the nation has been promoting.

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