Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt ready to host Narendra Modi swearing in

NEW DELHI: The sprawling forecourt lawns of of the Rashtrapati Bhavan is being readied for a gala swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister next Monday in the presence of over 3,000 invitees which may include some foreign dignitaries.

Hectic preparations were on as Secretary to President Pranab Mukherjee, Amita Paul, held a series of meetings today with officials from various ministries, Delhi Police and security agencies to firm up arrangements for the gala event.

Following the footsteps of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Modi has expressed his desire to be sworn at the forecourt so that a large number of visitors can be accommodated. Earlier, Chandrashekar was another Prime Minister who had taken oath at the same venue.

BJP chalked up a landslide victory in Lok Sabha polls to and crossed the magic figure of 272 in the 543-member House on its own for the first time in its history.

Paul also held a meeting with Rashtrapati Bhavan officials to finalise other arrangements as the event may see some foreign dignitaries especially head of the states of SAARC countries attending it.

Modi will be administered the oath of office by President Pranab Mukherjee on May 26 at 6 pm.

BJP President Rajnath Singh has already said invites for the swearing-in ceremony will be sent to about 3,000 dignitaries.

The historic 'Durbar Hall' at the Rashtrapati Bhavan can accomodate only about 500 people but given the fact that BJP will be inviting all its allies and other close friends, the forecourt will be a better venue.