NDA Leaders Chart Course for Modi's Third Term

Senior NDA leaders are scheduled to meet on Wednesday to discuss the formation of a new government following their victory in the Lok Sabha elections. Key figures like Narendra Modi, N Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar, and others are expected to attend. The new government will see a bigger role for BJP's allies.

Senior leaders of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will congregate on Wednesday to deliberate the formation details of the new government. This meeting comes on the heels of the ruling coalition's recent victory in the Lok Sabha elections, paving the way for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to begin his record-equalling third term in office.

Prominent leaders including TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu, JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, and LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan, are slated to attend. Modi, along with senior BJP leaders, will also be present at the meeting.

TDP, JD(U), Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and LJP (Ram Vilas) have secured 16, 12, 7, and 5 seats respectively, ensuring their crucial role in the formation of the new government. Sources indicate that NDA leaders are expected to formally renew their faith in Modi's leadership and may meet soon to officially elect him as their leader.

Though the oath-taking ceremony date remains unconfirmed, there is speculation that it could occur over the weekend if the government formation progresses swiftly. Parties like TDP and JD(U) are expected to vie for key portfolios given their essential support for the government's stability.

While the NDA comfortably surpasses the majority mark with more than 272 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha, the BJP itself has won 240 seats, missing the magic number for the first time since 2014. This renders the BJP critically reliant on its allies for governance.