New Delhi: As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) prepares to stake its claim to form the next government, negotiations are underway among its constituent parties. With the BJP falling short of a majority in the Lok Sabha, its allies are leveraging their positions to secure key ministries.
N Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar are reportedly making substantial demands during NDA meetings, seeking prominent roles in the Council of Ministers, as per an NDTV report.
Key Demands:
- The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is at the forefront, demanding eight ministerial berths, including Health, IT & Communications, Education, Road Transport, Agriculture, Rural Development, Housing & Urban Development, and Minister of State for Finance, as per reports.
- Additionally, the TDP is pushing for the post of Speaker of the Lok Sabha and seeking a special economic package for Andhra Pradesh, along with funds for developing Amravati as the state capital.
- The Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] is also asserting its position within the NDA by demanding three ministerial positions, specifically targeting the Railways, Agricultural Industries, and Rural Development ministries.
- JD(U) leaders have also emphasised the need for a minimum common program for the NDA government and has hinted at seeking a nationwide caste census and special status for Bihar.
- Other NDA allies, including the Shiv Sena and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), are also seeking significant roles in the new government. The Shiv Sena, with seven MPs, has requested three Cabinet berths and two ministers of state.
- Meanwhile, the LJP (Ram Vilas), led by Chirag Paswan, is aiming for one Cabinet berth, specifically eyeing the Food and Public Distribution portfolio, which was previously held by Chirag’s late father, Ram Vilas Paswan, in the first and second Modi ministries.
According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats, much lower than its 2019 tally of 303. The Congress, on the other hand, registered a strong improvement, winning 99 seats. While the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won 292 seats, the INDIA bloc crossed the 230 mark, posing stiff competition, and defying all predictions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has secured a third term, but the BJP needed the support of other parties in his coalition, primarily JD (U) chief Nitish Kumar and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu.
Earlier on Wednesday, NDA leaders unanimously passed a resolution in the meeting, electing Narendra Modi as their leader.
