New Delhi: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) unanimously passed a resolution on Wednesday to elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi as their alliance leader. This significant development came a day after the ruling coalition secured a majority in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, setting the stage for Modi’s third consecutive term as Prime Minister. The resolution was endorsed by 21 NDA leaders, who collectively emphasized the alliance’s commitment to serving the underprivileged, women, youth, farmers, and deprived sections of society.
“We are all proud that the NDA fought the 2024 Lok Sabha polls unitedly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and won. We all NDA leaders unanimously elect Narendra Modi as our leader,” the resolution stated.
Key Leaders and Their Contributions
Prominent figures in attendance included TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu, JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan, alongside senior BJP leaders. The presence of these leaders underscores the broad coalition that Modi will lead into his third term.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) [LJP (Ram Vilas)] played crucial roles in the recent elections, winning 16, 12, seven, and five seats respectively. Their support is vital for the NDA’s government formation and survival.
Electoral Outcome and Government Formation
In the recently concluded 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP-led NDA secured a total of 292 seats, comfortably above the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha. However, the BJP, with 240 seats, fell short of the majority mark on its own for the first time since 2014, making the support of its allies more critical than ever. The Congress-led INDIA bloc, on the other hand, managed to secure 234 seats, falling 38 seats short of the majority, and is actively trying to bring together its former allies to challenge the NDA.
Allies’ Demands and Coalition Dynamics
As the second largest party in the NDA after the BJP, the TDP has demanded significant roles in the new government. TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu has called for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker and two Cabinet berths for his party. Despite speculations, Naidu has ruled out switching allegiance to the opposition INDIA bloc, reaffirming his commitment to the NDA.
JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar has also extended his support to the BJP, urging swift action to form the government. Kumar’s backing is pivotal, given his party’s significant electoral strength within the alliance.
Strategic Meetings and Leadership Talks
Following the resolution, the NDA leaders will meet President Droupadi Murmu on June 7 to formally stake their claim to form the government. In preparation for this, senior BJP leaders, including Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, and BJP president JP Nadda, are set to hold talks with allies to finalize the terms and conditions for government formation.
In their statement, the NDA leaders highlighted the extensive public welfare policies and development work achieved under Modi’s leadership over the past decade. “India has seen the spread of public welfare policies and development work in the last 10 years under the leadership of Narendra Modi. After a long gap of around six decades, the public has elected a government for the third consecutive time with a clear majority. We are proud to have contested and won the 2024 Lok Sabha election under the leadership of Narendra Modi. We elect Narendra Modi as our leader unanimously,” the statement read.
The Road Ahead
With the stage set for Narendra Modi’s third term, his expected oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for June 8. This event will mark a significant moment in Indian politics, as Modi continues to steer the country under his vision of development and inclusivity. The BJP, while falling short of an outright majority, remains at the helm of a robust coalition that promises stability and continuity in governance.
As Modi prepares to assume office once again, the NDA faces the task of delivering on its promises to various sections of society, navigating the demands of its coalition partners, and maintaining the momentum of India’s development trajectory. The coming days will be crucial as the alliance solidifies its plans and strategies for the next five years, ensuring that their electoral victory translates into effective governance and progress for the nation.
