Guests at Assam governor’s swearing-in came on personal expense: Raj Bhavan

The Raj Bhavan here has refuted reports in the media, including Hindustan Times, that governor Jagdish Mukhi had brought along more than 200 guests for his swearing-in ceremony on official expenditure.

Mukhi was sworn in at an elaborate function at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra here instead of the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday.

“It may be kindly noted that all the guests had come on their personal expenses and no expenditure was incurred from the state exchequer for their travelling and other expenses,” a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan said.

Officials at Raj Bhavan said 191 guests were to have attended Mukhi’s oath-taking ceremony. “Of the 171 guests, 40 came and flew back on the day of oath-taking (October 10). About 20 guests stayed in Guwahati at their own expenses,” a spokesperson said.

“Mukhi has a long public life.... ...he developed his camaraderie with every section of the society. So the 171 guests had come for his swearing-in out of love and affection,” the Raj Bhavan spokesperson said.

Among Mukhi’s guests were a cabinet minister from Jammu & Kashmir, two MPs from Delhi and Haryana, two mayors from Delhi and two Standing Committee chairpersons, the spokesperson said.

The opposition Congress had reacted to “lavish” swearing-in ceremony the local administration had organised for Mukhi. Some NGOs had also panned the large number of guests “entertained”.

“Governor Mukhi has a long public life spanning more than 40 years. During his long association with the public he developed his camaraderie with every section of the society. So the 171 guests had come for his swearing-in out of love and affection,” the Raj Bhavan spokesperson said. EOM