Kharge attends swearing-in, rest of opposition boycotts

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge attended the ceremony, with the rest of the opposition boycotting the event in protest of what they termed as "moral defeat of Modi".
It is learned that opposition party representatives including Sonia Gandhi got the invite for the mega event, and a discussion was held among them. Sources said the opposition in unison felt that the PM had indulged in "hate speech and lies" during the election campaign and had besmirched the dignity of the high office of the PM.Most of them felt "he had lost the moral right to occupy the PM's office", and were of the view that they keep away from the oath to convey their disagreement with the PM's conduct.
"The opposition believes the govt lacks legitimacy and PM Modi has suffered a moral defeat. It was decided that Kharge should attend the event, as he occupies a constitutional post of leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha. Else, the INDIA bloc has boycotted the event," a Congress functionary said. Others, like TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, had announced in advance that her party would not be attending the event.