The changing of the guard ceremony will not be held on June 8, 15 and 22, 2024 at Rashtrapati Bhavan due to the preparation of the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers at the forecourt, Rashtrapati Bhavan and the speech to both Houses. of Parliament by the President, according to an official statement from the President’s Secretariat, news agency ANI reported.
“The changing of the guard ceremony will not be held on June 8, 15 and 22, 2024 at Rashtrapati Bhavan due to the preparation of the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers at the forecourt, Rashtrapati Bhavan and the speech to both the Houses of Parliament by the President,” reads an official statement, ANI reported.
Meanwhile, ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, senior officials of the Delhi Police carried out a thorough security check at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Special security measures have also been arranged for foreign dignitaries attending the swearing-in ceremony, including enhanced protocols at three designated hotels where the dignitaries will stay, ANI reported.
Apart from ground security, Delhi Police issued a public advisory on Friday announcing a no-fly zone over the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
The notice prohibits the operation of sub-conventional aerial platforms, which aim to prevent possible threats from criminal, anti-social or terrorist elements during the oath-taking ceremony, ANI reported.
Delhi Police said in a tweet on small-sized powered aircraft, quadcopters or para-jumps from aircraft, etc., over the jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi in view of the swearing-in ceremony in the National Capital Territory of Delhi to thwart criminal and anti-element activities or terrorist enemies of India pose a threat to the safety of the general public, dignitaries and vital installations by using them,” the notice reads.
The public notice further said that the ban will come into effect from June 9 to 10, 2024. Violators will face punishment under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. The security measures come following the formal appointment of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister by the President of India on Friday, ANI reported.
Meanwhile, letters of support from NDA constituent parties were also given to the President.
Earlier on May 7, a BJP delegation from Varanasi handed over the 2024 Lok Sabha victory certificate to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. They arrived from Varanasi to New Delhi on Thursday to present the certificate to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi had his first meeting with the people of Kashi on Thursday afternoon after winning from Varanasi parliamentary constituency. During this time he was overcome with emotion. Varanasi BJP leaders handed over the certificate of victory upon reaching Delhi.” according to a BJP press release.
After the counting of votes on June 4, the Varanasi district magistrate presented the certificate to the BJP leaders.
Notably, Prime Minister Modi defeated Congress candidate Ajay Rai by a margin of 1,52,513 votes, according to the Election Commission of India.
Prime Minister Modi received 6,12,970 votes, while Ajay Rai received 4,60,457 votes. Bahujan Samaj Party candidate Ather Jamal Lari occupied the third position with 33,766 votes. “Prime Minister Modi respectfully accepted the certificate, terming it as a mandate of the people,” the statement said.
According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats, far below the 303 it won in 2019. The Congress, on the other hand, recorded a sharp improvement, winning 99 seats. While the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won 292 seats, the INDIA bloc crossed the 230 mark, posing tough competition and defying all predictions.
(With contributions from ANI)