Odisha’s Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik, widely respected for his dedication to public service and the people of Odisha, has chosen not to attend the G20 gala dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu on the opening day of the G20 Summit in New Delhi this Saturday.
While the specific reasons for his absence have not been disclosed, it’s important to recognize Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik’s unwavering commitment to his responsibilities and obligations within the state.
In contrast, several other Chief Ministers have confirmed their participation, including Nitish Kumar, Hemant Soren, Mamata Banerjee, MK Stalin, Arvind Kejriwal, and Bhagwant Mann. Notably, the Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan may not be present. Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has officially communicated his non-attendance, citing a prior engagement, while there is no definitive confirmation yet regarding the presence of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
Among other notable absences, former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda have conveyed their inability to attend due to health reasons.
The esteemed attendees include President Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar accompanied by his wife Sudesh Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former President Ram Nath Kovind, and former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, who will join the dinner party.
Additional invitees encompass an impressive list of Cabinet Ministers, Union Ministers, and Ministers of State from various portfolios. Prominent figures such as Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman, and many others will be in attendance, showcasing the diverse representation of India’s political leadership.
Notably, leaders from different political parties, including Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, have not received invitations.
The gala dinner is scheduled to take place at the multi-function hall of the refurbished India Trade Promotion Organisation Complex, known as Bharat Mandapam, situated in Delhi’s Pragati Maidan. Muktesh Pardeshi, overseeing the operations and logistics for the two-day summit, has informed NDTV that in addition to the dinner, dignitaries will be treated to a brief cultural program.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s decision reflects his commitment to the people of Odisha and his focus on their well-being, even during important national events like the G20 Summit. It underscores his dedication to fulfilling his duties within the state.
Prasanta Patnaik