In the recent election, the BJP, despite having a strong majority in the past, only won 240 seats, falling short of the 272 seats required to independently establish a government.
Today, all attention is focused on TDP’s Chandrababu Naidu and JDU’s Nitish Kumar as the recently elected MPs of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) convene to discuss government formation. These two leaders have emerged as pivotal figures after the BJP fell short of the required majority to independently establish a government. Both parties are now vying for significant roles in the upcoming cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following today’s meeting, PM Modi is anticipated to assert his claim to create a new coalition government, as per insider sources.
In the Lok Sabha, the NDA secured 293 seats out of the total 543. Despite its previous strong majority, the BJP only won 240 seats, falling short of the 272 seats required to form a government independently.
The BJP is reliant on the support of four crucial allies to reach the majority mark. These allies include N Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP, which has 16 seats; Nitish Kumar’s JDU, which has 12 seats; Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, which has 7 seats; and Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas, which has 5 seats.
The diverse group of regional parties is aiming to use their newfound influence to secure ministerial positions.
Sources suggest that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is seeking five cabinet positions, including the role of parliamentary speaker.
According to sources, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) is interested in securing two significant portfolios: railways and rural development.
Both N Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar, experienced figures in coalition politics, held discussions with their party members in preparation for the NDA meeting today.
On the other hand, the BJP is hesitant to allocate ally representatives in the four crucial ministries under the Cabinet Committee on Security: defense, finance, Home Affairs, and External Affairs.
According to sources, the BJP is also reluctant to relinquish control over key portfolios crucial to its infrastructure development agenda, such as road transport and highways, as well as those essential to its welfare initiatives.
The ongoing coalition discussions are reminiscent of the pre-2014 era, before PM Modi’s landslide victory that granted the BJP a clear majority. During this period, alliance partners engaged in negotiations to secure positions and advantages within the government.
PM Modi is set to lead the NDA meeting today and will officially be chosen as the alliance’s leader. Following this, he is expected to meet with President Droupadi Murmu later in the day to assert his intention to establish a government.
A grand swearing-in ceremony for PM Modi is scheduled for Sunday evening.
