Key Allies C Naidu and Nitish Kumar Solidify Support for PM Modi Ahead of Saturday’s Swearing-In
New Delhi: The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which secured 293 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections surpassing the majority mark of 272, will officially form the new government on Saturday, with Narendra Modi taking the oath as Prime Minister for a historic third consecutive term. This development comes after a unanimous decision by the alliance, affirming Modi’s leadership and applauding his efforts in nation-building and enhancing India’s global stature.
Earlier today, NDA leaders, including Telugu Desam Party (TDP) head Chandrababu Naidu and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar, met at Modi’s residence to review the election results and discuss the formation of the government. Both Naidu and Kumar, whose combined 28 Lok Sabha seats are vital for the BJP’s coalition stability, are expected to accompany Modi during the swearing-in ceremony.
Naidu’s TDP secured 16 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh, while simultaneously winning the state assembly elections to return as Chief Minister. Kumar’s JD(U) won 12 seats in Bihar. In light of potential approaches from the opposition INDIA bloc, which finished with 232 seats, the BJP has obtained written letters of support from both Naidu and Kumar.
Modi acknowledged the significance of the TDP and JD(U) during his victory speech at the party headquarters in Delhi, highlighting their importance to the NDA coalition. This acknowledgement comes amid speculation that the opposition may attempt to court Naidu and Kumar to bolster their own bid for government formation.
Despite this speculation, both leaders have yet to reveal their intentions, though demands such as special status for their states and specific ministerial positions are reportedly being discussed. The INDIA bloc, led by Congress with its best performance since 2009, is also considering outreach efforts to these key regional leaders.
Earlier on Tuesday, Modi met with President Droupadi Murmu to submit his resignation ahead of the dissolution of the current government on June 16, with instructions to continue in office until the new government is appointed. Modi downplayed concerns over the party’s performance during his final cabinet meeting, emphasizing the continued good work of the past decade.
In a speech to supporters at the party’s headquarters, Modi expressed gratitude for the public’s trust in the NDA for a third term and promised to continue working towards fulfilling the aspirations of the Indian people.
Stay Updated with NDTV on WhatsApp Channels. Click the link for the latest updates delivered directly to your chat.
