Who Gets Which Ministry in Modi 3.0 Cabinet?
08.06.2024: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to take oath for his third consecutive term, a significant meeting is set to take place today to finalize the list of cabinet ministers. Modi, who will be the first three-term Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru, will be sworn in tomorrow evening along with his new cabinet members.
Key Meeting Details
The newly elected MPs of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will gather to discuss and finalize the allocation of ministries. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 240 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, falling 32 seats short of the majority mark. Crucial support comes from four key allies:
- TDP (Telugu Desam Party): 16 seats
- JDU (Janata Dal-United): 12 seats
- Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction): 7 seats
- Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas: 5 seats
Key Allies and Their Support
TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and JDU leader Nitish Kumar, who have been pivotal in this alliance, have publicly supported Modi’s candidacy for Prime Minister. They have also provided written support, ensuring their backing amid opposition speculations.
Negotiations and Key Portfolios
The focus is now on the negotiations between the BJP and its key allies:
- TDP and JDU: Both are vying for significant posts in the central government.
- Shiv Sena and LJP: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction and Chirag Paswan’s LJP are also aiming for important ministries in the new cabinet.
Opposition Challenge
The INDIA bloc, the opposition alliance, mounted a strong challenge in this national election, securing 232 seats, 40 short of the majority. The Congress, leading the INDIA bloc, won 99 out of the 328 seats it contested, demonstrating a significant opposition presence.
As PM Modi gears up for his third term, the key meeting today will play a crucial role in shaping the new cabinet. The distribution of ministries among the NDA allies will be a defining factor in the governance and political landscape of India for the coming years.