Narendra Modi Officially Chosen As NDA's Leader, Set To Take Oath As PM For Third Consecutive Time

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised to form the new government on Saturday (8 June), with Narendra Modi set to be sworn in as Prime Minister for a historic third consecutive term after winning 293 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Modi was unanimously chosen as the alliance's leader earlier in the day. NDA leaders convened at Modi's residence today to review the election results and discuss the formation of the government.

Following this, a delegation of senior BJP figures and its NDA partners planned to meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan to stake their claim to power.

This delegation would include Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar, whose combined 28 seats are crucial for maintaining the BJP's coalition majority.

In response to the speculations that Naidu and Kumar could be approached by the opposition INDI Alliance, which secured 232 seats, the BJP has obtained written letters of support from the TDP and JDU leaders.

Aware of their significance to the NDA, Modi specifically acknowledged Naidu and Kumar during his victory speech on Tuesday night at the party headquarters in Delhi.

The opposition alliance finished with 232 seats, falling 40 short of the 272-majority mark. INDI Alliance leaders, including Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, have been cautious about reaching out to Naidu or Kumar, but reports confirm the intention is there.

Earlier on Wednesday, Modi met President Murmu to resign ahead of the dissolution of the current government on 16 June. He was asked to continue until a new government is appointed.

Modi also chaired the final cabinet meeting of his second term this morning, downplaying concerns over his party's performance, saying, "Winning and losing are part of politics. We have done good work for the last 10 years. We will continue doing so."

Addressing a supportive crowd at the party's Delhi headquarters late Tuesday, Modi expressed gratitude, stating the people of India had "placed their faith" in the NDA for a third term.