New Delhi: Newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) convened at the new Parliament House for their first meeting following the victory of the BJP-led alliance in the Lok Sabha elections.
As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fell short of the majority mark, regional parties like Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal-United (JDU) have emerged as pivotal players in the formation of the new government.
UPDATES
- Narendra Modi meets President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and stakes claim to form the government.
Narendra Modi meets President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and stakes claim to form the government.
He was chosen as the leader of the NDA Parliamentary Party today pic.twitter.com/hiRHQWX6jG
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) June 7, 2024
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the NDA government will provide good governance and thanked people for giving him the opportunity to serve them again.
- Modi was formally elected as the leader of the BJP, leader of the NDA Parliamentary Party and leader of the Lok Sabha. Leaders of the NDA allies garlanded Narendra Modi.
- With Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to be sworn in for a historic third term on Sunday, discussions are underway regarding the allocation of key portfolios within the new cabinet.
- After Friday’s meeting, PM Modi is anticipated to present his claim to form a new coalition government to the President.
- Despite the NDA securing 293 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha, the BJP alone fell short of the 272-mark needed for a standalone government, securing 240 seats. The support of critical allies like TDP, JDU, Shiv Sena, and Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas is crucial for the BJP to attain a majority.
- The regional parties are leveraging their newfound influence to secure ministerial positions. TDP is reportedly seeking five cabinet posts, including the parliamentary speaker position, while JDU eyes significant portfolios like railways and rural development.
- Ahead of the NDA meeting, Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar engaged in discussions with their respective party leaders to strategize their demands and positions.
- However, the BJP remains reluctant to concede key ministries like defence, finance, home affairs, and external affairs, which fall under the purview of the Cabinet Committee on Security. Additionally, crucial portfolios related to infrastructure and welfare, integral to the BJP’s agenda, are unlikely to be relinquished.
- These coalition negotiations evoke memories of pre-2014 political dynamics, characterized by alliances bargaining for positions and benefits.
- NDA meeting, chaired by PM Modi, will formalize his election as the leader of the alliance. Subsequently, PM Modi is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu to stake his claim for government formation.
- The grand swearing-in ceremony is set to take place on Sunday evening, with several South Asian leaders, including Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, confirming their attendance.
- Invitations have also been extended to leaders from Nepal, Bhutan, and Mauritius.
