Sushma Swaraj did not attend today's Cabinet expansion ceremony and made sure it got no negative coverage – know how

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday skipped the Modi cabinet expansion ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan but made sure her move got no negative coverage in the press.

Swaraj actually had a prior diplomatic engagement - she was due to meet her Hungarian counterpart around the same time the 19 new ministers were to be sworn-in.

Anticipating negative coverage of her absence, the minister explained well in advance the reason behind her skipping the ceremony.

"Media - Pl avoid the headline: 'Sushma skips Oath Ceremony'," Swaraj tweeted two hours before the oath ceremony.

"I am unable to attend the swearing in ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhawan since I have a meeting with Foreign Minister of Hungary,” she tweeted further.

"I congratulate and welcome all my colleagues joining the Council of Ministers," the minister added.

I am unable to attend the swearing in ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhawan since I have a meeting with Foreign Minister of Hungary. /1 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 5, 2016

I congratulate and welcome all my colleagues joining the Council of Ministers. /2 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 5, 2016

Media - Pl avoid the headline : 'Sushma skips Oath Ceremony'. — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 5, 2016

Furthering a multifaceted bond.
EAM @SushmaSwaraj meets Hungarian Min for foreign affairs & trade, Peter Szijjarto pic.twitter.com/XqhxIFZN4d — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) July 5, 2016