NDA elects Modi, to stake claim to form govt; Rajnath, Shah, Nadda tasked to hold talks with partners

The newly-elected NDA MPs will also hold a meeting Friday.

It’s not clear yet when the new government will be sworn in. While there were reports that the swearing-in might take place Saturday, sources in the security establishment indicated that no event has been planned yet for June 8-9.

Election Results 2024: Leaders of the NDA flash the victory sign after key meeting at Narendra Modi’s residence on Wednesday. (Photo: ANI/X)

June 9 is also the day ministers of the TDP government in Andhra Pradesh will be administered the oath of office in Amaravati and Modi may attend the ceremony.

Sources said details of government formation at the Centre will be discussed between leaders of the NDA parties, especially TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar Chief Minister and JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar, ahead of staking claim.

According to sources, Modi has assigned Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief J P Nadda to conduct the talks with partner leaders for finalising details of government formation.

Although Naidu did not clarify to the BJP leadership whether the TDP — it now has 16 MPs — will be part of the government at the Centre or will extend outside support, a source in the TDP said the party may join the government after negotiations.

Election Results 2024: (From L-R) Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, J P Nadda, Narendra Modi, Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar at NDA meet on Wednesday. (PTI)

Sources said Naidu will wait to see what the BJP is offering to his party before taking a final decision on joining the government. Nitish Kumar’s JD (U) is expecting key Cabinet berths in the new government. LJP (R) leader Chirag Paswan, sources said, is expected to be a minister in the Cabinet.

The TDP is keen on getting the post of Speaker in the Lok Sabha, but the BJP has not made any commitment on it.

After the meeting at Modi’s official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, Naidu went to the residence of BJP leader Piyush Goyal for “tea and talks” for 30 minutes.

The new NDA is expected to have a convener and will hold frequent coordination meetings.

In its first meeting, which was attended among others by Naidu and Nitish Kumar, the NDA passed a resolution underscoring its commitment to serve the poor, women, youth, farmers — the four “castes” that Modi had announced as his focus ahead of the elections — and the deprived sections of society.

“The meeting was cordial. The Prime Minister made a brief speech in which he said all of us should work as one unit for the development of the country. He said the NDA will be stronger and work hard,” said one of the leaders who attended the meeting.

While the leaders congratulated him on his leadership and his initiatives for the eradication of poverty and the strides India has made under him, Modi said the results Tuesday was a historic mandate as it was the first time in 60 years that a government was returning for a third consecutive term.

In his brief address, he criticised the Opposition for attacking the institutions. He is learnt to have said they can attack him but no one should attack institutions.

“NDA partners said that Modi has a clear vision for Viksit Bharat and all of them are partners in this goal. They also lauded the PM’s role in enhancing India’s pride in the international community,” a source said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, LJP-R’s Paswan, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, Jitan Ram Manjhi (HAM), Pawan Kalyan (Jana Sena Party) , Anupriya Patel (Apna Dal-S), Jayant Chaudhary (RLD), Pramod Boro (UPPL), Atup Bora (AGP), Indra Hang Subba (SKM), Sudesh Mahta (AJSU), Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Sanjay Jha (JD-U), Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare (NCP) also attended the meeting.

Rajnath Singh, Shah and Nadda were also at the meeting.

The resolution said the NDA government will continue working to lift people’s living standards for the country’s all-round development while conserving its heritage.

“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,” it said.

The resolution also said that people have seen the country being developed in every sector in the last 10 years due to the pro-people policies of the NDA government under Modi.

Meanwhile, a security meeting was called Wednesday afternoon to discuss preparations for the swearing-in ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan

As of now, sources said, there is no event on June 8-9. Around 10,000 cards are being printed and some 8,500 guests are expected once the ceremony date is firmed up.

A message was conveyed Wednesday morning to the senior officials of Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, SPG, Delhi Police, Intelligence Bureau and Rashtrapati Bhavan.

“The meeting, which lasted for around two-and-half hours, started around 3.30 pm. It was chaired by the Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat who enquired about the planning for the security arrangements and also about the Head of States who may be coming from abroad,” a source said.

“All security units have made their arrangements. It has been decided that they will allow entry to only those with a special parking entry pass from the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Others can drop their guests and move out,” the source said.