Protocol department clueless on PM’s seat for Maharashtra government swearing-in

Mumbai: Officials of the Protocol department in Mantralaya are in a quandary over seating arrangement for Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he attends the swearing-in of the BJP government here later this week.

"It is not common for the PM to attend swearing-in ceremony of state government and Protocol department is trying to figure a way out regarding seating arrangement for him," a senior BJP leader told PTI.

"We suggested them that they should watch where PM sits during the swearing-in ceremony of Haryana government today and accordingly make seating arrangements here," he said.

Chief Ministers of BJP ruled states are also expected to attend the oath-taking ceremony, planned at the sprawling Wankhede stadium in south Mumbai.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP's central observer for election of the legislature party leader, is expected to arrive here tomorrow and the election is likely to take place the next day, a top BJP leader said on Saturday.

Back channel talks were said to be on between BJP and estranged former ally Shiv Sena for forming a coalition government.

BJP, which has emerged as the single largest party in the 288-member Assembly with 122 seats, has already been offered outside support by 41-member NCP.

With its 63 MLAs, Shiv Sena is the second largest party in the House.