Narendra Modi took the oath of office as India's Prime Minister for the third consecutive time on Sunday, marking a historic achievement. He joins Jawaharlal Nehru as the only individuals in Indian history to accomplish this feat, following Nehru's successive wins in the 1952, 1957, and 1962 elections.
Ahead of the inauguration ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, PM Modi convened with a gathering of NDA leaders, many of whom were poised to assume ministerial roles in the new government. Notable figures from Modi 2.0, including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Nitin Gadkari, were in attendance, along with BJP stalwarts like Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Jyotiraditya Scindia. Representatives from NDA allies such as JDU, HAM, RLD, and JDS also participated in the meeting.
The BJP's reduced numbers in the Lok Sabha, compared to the previous term, necessitated a reliance on NDA allies for a majority. As a result, accommodating these allies in the council of ministers became crucial for the government's stability.
The swearing-in ceremony attracted attention from foreign dignitaries, with leaders from Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, and Seychelles gracing the occasion. Security measures were heightened in the national capital, with stringent prohibitory orders and traffic restrictions implemented, particularly around Rashtrapati Bhavan.
In the recent elections, the NDA secured a comfortable victory, winning 293 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats. The INDIA alliance put up a strong fight, clinching 232 constituencies, while the Congress nearly doubled its tally from the previous elections.
Despite falling short of the majority mark by 32 seats, the BJP remained a pivotal force with 240 seats. Key portfolios like Home, Defence, Finance, and External Affairs were expected to be retained in the cabinet committee on security. The development initiatives spearheaded by Nitin Gadkari under Modi 1.0 and 2.0 were poised to continue in the new term.
The TDP and JDU, with 16 and 12 seats respectively, sought significant roles in the central government. The final composition of PM Modi's new team would reveal whether these demands were accommodated. From the JDU, former party chief Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Ram Nath Thakur were anticipated to secure ministerial positions, while TDP MPs Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani and Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu were expected to be appointed ministers in Modi 3.0.
