Tharoor expresses regret over his absence on oath taking function of V D Satheesan, cites reason

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor said that he will not be able to attend the swearing-in-ceremony of the cabinet led by V D Satheesan. He expressed regret over not being able to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the government. He said in a social media post that he would be in Boston, USA, this weekend to attend the graduation ceremony at Tufts University in Massachusetts.

Tharoor said he would deliver the keynote address at the graduation ceremony of The Fletcher School at Tufts University, where he studied, and also attend the 50th reunion of his graduating class.

‘I regret that I will not be able to attend the swearing-in ceremony of my colleague and Kerala’s new Chief Minister V D Satheesan. I will be in Boston this weekend to deliver the inaugural address at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and to participate in the 50th reunion of my class. At a time when I look forward eagerly to Kerala’s future, this is also an opportunity to celebrate my past in the US,’ Tharoor wrote on social media.

The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to be held at Central Stadium at 10 am on Monday.

Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled states including Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh, along with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, are expected to attend the event. Invitations have reportedly been sent by the chief secretary.

Senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar are also expected to participate.
BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the party’s three newly elected MLAs would attend the function, while M V Govindan confirmed that leaders of the CPM would also be present.