Also in attendance were Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, Indian National Lok Dal leader Om Prakash Chautala, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, his cousin and MNS chief Raj Thackeray and RPI leader Ramdas Athawale among others.
In an indication that Modi, despite his hat-trick of electoral triumphs remains a polarising figure, nobody from main Opposition Congress, Keshubhai Patel's Gujarat Parivartan Party or key ally JD(U) was present.
As expected, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who has been keeping distance from Modi, as also his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi of BJP, were conspicuous by their absence. However, Bihar BJP president C P Thakur attended the ceremony.
JD(U) is running a coalition government in Bihar with BJP since November 2005.
A battery of saffron-clad sadhus and spiritual leaders were also present.
