This delegation was expected to include Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu and Janata Dal leader Nitish Kumar, whose combined 28 seats are crucial to maintaining the BJP's coalition majority.
Digital Desk: The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), having secured 293 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, surpassing the majority mark of 272, is set to establish the new government. This inauguration will occur on Saturday, coinciding with Narendra Modi's historic third consecutive term as Prime Minister. Mr. Modi was unanimously elected as the leader of the alliance earlier this afternoon.
Earlier today, NDA leaders convened at Mr. Modi's residence to assess the election outcomes and strategize the government formation process. Subsequently, a delegation comprising senior figures from the BJP and its NDA partners was slated to meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan to assert their claim to power.
This delegation was expected to include Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu and Janata Dal leader Nitish Kumar, whose combined 28 seats are crucial to maintaining the BJP's coalition majority. Speculation has arisen that Mr. Naidu and Nitish Kumar could be approached by the opposition INDIA bloc, which is exploring its own government formation bid after finishing with 232 seats, 40 short of a majority.
To counteract this potential maneuver, the BJP has secured written letters of support from the TDP and JDU leaders. Mr. Modi acknowledged the importance of these alliances during his victory speech at the party headquarters in Delhi on Tuesday night.
The Congress, buoyed by its best performance since 2009 with 99 seats, has not ruled out courting Mr. Naidu or Nitish Kumar, according to sources. Meanwhile, Mr. Modi met with Ms. Murmu earlier to tender his resignation ahead of the government's dissolution on June 16. He was requested to continue until a new government is formed.
During the final cabinet meeting of his second term this morning, Mr. Modi addressed any concerns over his party's performance, emphasizing the continuity of good governance. He expressed gratitude to the electorate for their continued trust in the NDA, promising to uphold their aspirations.
