NDA Set to Choose Modi as PM Today

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the oath-taking ceremony for the third term of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, BJP's top leaders including party president J.P. Nadda, senior leaders, and Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, convened a meeting at the party president’s official residence. Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya also attended the meeting.

Subsequently, Nadda and Shah held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day. These deliberations occurred a day prior to the scheduled NDA Parliamentary Party meeting on Friday, where Prime Minister Modi is expected to be elected as the leader. The swearing-in ceremony for the PM is likely to occur over the weekend, possibly Sunday.

While negotiations are going on between BJP allies TD and JD(U) for significant portfolios, the BJP leadership seems resolute in retaining control of the 'top four' ministries - home, finance, defense, and external affairs. With 293 MPs, the NDA comfortably surpasses the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha.

BJP chief ministers, deputy chief ministers, and other senior leaders are slated to convene at the party headquarters on Friday evening. Sources indicated that following Modi's election as the leader of the NDA parliamentary party, senior members of the alliance, including TD's N. Chandrababu Naidu and JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar, will accompany the prime minister in meeting with President Droupadi Murmu. They are expected to submit a list of supporting MPs to the President. It's anticipated that all NDA constituents will provide letters of support for Modi as the new prime minister on Friday.

The gathering of BJP leadership with party officials is being interpreted as part of the party's groundwork ahead of the government's formation.

Preparing to assume office for a third consecutive term, Modi chaired the meeting with ruling alliance members on Wednesday, during which he was unanimously elected as the leader.

With 12 MPs, JD(U) stands as the second-largest BJP ally after TD, which boasts of 16 parliamentarians. JD(U) is eyeing substantial ministerial positions to strengthen its position in Bihar, where it has been making strides following a perceived decline in political influence over recent years. The new BJP-led government will rely significantly on JD(U) and TD for its stability.

Negotiations between BJP leaders and allies are going on regarding ministerial appointments and other pertinent matters.

Beyond coveted portfolios, TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu is pressing for financial assistance from the Centre for building Andhra Pradesh's capital in Amravati. Additionally, he seeks the fulfillment of commitments made by the Centre to the state during the bifurcation with Telangana.