West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced that she will not attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in on Thursday, alleging the BJP was using the ceremony "to score political points".
The BJP, however, hit back at her, saying she was looking for "excuses" to avoid attending the event.
"The oath-taking ceremony is an august occasion to celebrate democracy, not one that should be devalued by any political party which uses it as an opportunity to score political points," Banerjee said in a social media post.
The Trinamool Congress chief's remark came after media reports said at least 70 family members of slain Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists in West Bengal had been invited to the ceremony as "special guests".
This is being seen as a message to Banerjee ahead of Assembly elections scheduled in 2021.
The Chief Minister took exception to the BJP's claim that 54 people had been "murdered in political violence" in her state.
Congratulating Modi for taking over as the Prime Minister again, Banerjee said she did plan "to accept the constitutional invitation" and attend the oath-taking ceremony.
"However, in the past one hour, I am seeing media reports with the BJP claiming that 54 people have been murdered in political violence in Bengal," she said.
Calling the claim "completely untrue", she said: "There have been no political murders in Bengal."
Banerjee said the deaths may have occurred due to "personal enmity, family quarrels and other disputes, nothing related to politics".
"There is no such record with us," she added.
Earlier, state BJP Secretary Tushar Kanti Ghosh told IANS: "The special guests -- including the kin of Sishupal Sahish, Trilochan Mahato and Dulal Kumar, who were killed and hanged from trees in Bengal's Purulia district -- will be taken to New Delhi by Rajdhani Express."
He said they were scheduled to return on Friday.
Political analysts feel the presence of the families of deceased BJP activists as "special guests" at the same venue would have been embarrassing for Banerjee in the backdrop of the way the saffron outfit has been highlighting the attacks and murders on its functionaries in Bengal.
During the Lok Sabha election campaign, Modi and BJP President Amit Shah repeatedly highlighted the issue of violence directed at their party in West Bengal.
Criticising Banerjee's decision, BJP General Secretary and West Bengal in-charge Kailash Vijayvargiya said Banerjee doesn't believe in the federal structure.
"She got an excuse (for not attending). The decision to invite the kin of BJP workers was of the state unit. The kin were asked if they wished to attend, they can. They expressed their desire to come, hence they were invited," Vijayvargiya said at a press conference in Delhi.
He said Banerjee doesn't believe in the federal structure and has shown similar behaviour in the past too.
"She was looking for excuses," he added.
LS poll: Tripura Minister to reward polling stations recording highest vote percentage
Tripura Minister and senior BJP leader Ratan Lal Nath on Tuesday announced Rs 2 lakh reward for the polling stations in five Assembly constituencies which will record the highest percentage of votes in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
BJP winning 35 seats in Bengal will guarantee freedom from illegal infiltration: Amit Shah
If the BJP winning 18 seats in West Bengal during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls can ensure the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, bagging 35 seats this time will surely guarantee freedom from illegal infiltration,
CM Kejriwal, K Kavitha’s judicial custody extended in money laundering case till May 7
A Delhi court on Tuesday extended till May 7 the judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and BRS leader, K Kavitha in the money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam case.
Polling to West Tripura PC: Returning Officer claims of free and fair election, says issues inquired and addressed
In response to various issues raised in the newspapers regarding election in 1-West Tripura Parliamentary constituency held on April 19 last, the Returning Officer assured that all the issues have been inquired and adequately addressed.
Misleading advertisements case: Issued public apologies across 67 newspapers, Patanjali tells SC
Patanjali Ayurved on Tuesday apprised the Supreme Court that it has issued public apologies for publishing misleading advertisements.
It is PM Modi's guarantee that all passengers will get confirmed tickets in next 5 years: Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Railways and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Tuesday that in the next five years, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guarantee that almost any passenger who wants to travel can easily get a confirmed ticket.
PM Modi steps up attack on Congress, says ‘it wanted to bring quota on basis of religion’
Addressing a mega public rally in Rajasthan’s Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, PM Modi doubled down on his attack amid a series of accusations by the Congress.
DMs, SPs of violence-hit MP districts transferred
The farmers agitation entered its eighth day on Thursday. The peasants have been on strike since June 1, demanding loan waiver and fair price for their produce.