Local sources from India: Aaj Tak, News18 हिंदी.
UK coverage: The Independent.
Narendra Modi has been elected as the leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition, paving the way for his third term as prime minister of India. Although his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fell short of the majority mark, the NDA coalition won a total of 293 seats, securing a comfortable lead over the opposition INDIA alliance. This will be the first time under Modi’s leadership that the BJP has relied on support from smaller allies to form a government, which could have implications for his ability to pass major policies in the future. Modi will be sworn in as prime minister on Sunday, becoming only the second person in India’s history to win three consecutive elections.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has criticized the formation of the NDA government, calling it ‘undemocratic and illegal.’ She stated that her party, TMC, is currently in a ‘Wait and Watch’ situation regarding central politics and that the INDIA alliance may still claim to form a government in the future. Banerjee also expressed her decision not to attend Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, citing the lack of an invitation.
Mamata Banerjee further emphasized that the upcoming NDA government will be unstable, as the BJP did not secure a majority and will depend on its allies. She called for change and stated that the country needs a new leader. Banerjee’s party, TMC, will continue to demand the repeal of the Citizenship Amendment Act in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremony, scheduled for Sunday evening, will be attended by several foreign guests. Modi, as the leader of the NDA parliamentary party, will take the oath of the Prime Minister’s office, along with his ministers. The discussions regarding the formation of the government and the cabinet have been completed, and Modi will make the final decision after considering the opinions of all parties and allied groups.
Overall, Narendra Modi’s election as the leader of the NDA coalition sets the stage for his third term as prime minister of India. However, the reliance on smaller allies to form a government may impact the passage of major policies. The criticism from Mamata Banerjee highlights the political tensions surrounding the NDA government’s formation. As the swearing-in ceremony approaches, all eyes are on the future direction of India under Modi’s leadership.
